When I was at university I enjoyed arranging and composition, however once I started teaching that was somewhat sidelined. It is only in the last couple of years that I have got back into this area of music.

These works are covered by a Creative Commons license, so please feel free to download and perform them with your handbell groups.

As well, it's always nice to hear how my pieces are being used, so please fill out the form below. As well, maybe even send an email or a YouTube link to your performance!

Thanks

Rob C

rob.j.cairns@gmail.com

Please let me know what music you are using with the form below.

Hymns

Break Forth, O Beauteous Heav'ly Light

Eternal Father Strong to Save

Jesu, meine Freude

Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

Early Music

Almighty and Everlasting God

Innsbruck, ich muss dich lassen

At Peace

Writing This Piece

This original composition was written for the Jubilate Bells of Metropolitan United Church in London, Ontario, Canada. “At Peace” was written as a corollary to “Conflicted.” In “Conflicted” there are chaotic themes which occur throughout the piece. In the middle, however, there is a calm, peaceful section alluding to what might be if the conflict goes away. “At Peace” expands on the nature of that peacefulness.”The Peace of Christ” is the alternate title that may be used for church service performances.

This 5-Octave version is dedicated to Terry Head. Terry was the director of music at First St. Andrew’s United Church in London, Ontario. He tragically passed away in November of 2019. It was the intention of Terry and Rob to perform this piece with both the Laudamus Bell Choir (First St. Andrew’s United Church) and the Jubilate Bells (Metropolitan United Church) however, they did not have the opportunity to do so.

5 Octave, 3 Octave Versions and Score (Both Octaves)

Clarity

Writing This Piece

This original composition was written for the Jubilate Bells of Metropolitan United Church in London, Ontario, Canada. The composition originated with the idea of subtracting bells out of a chord cluster. A series of held chords separates each verse of the piece. With each restatement of the chords, notes are subtracted out. The added ‘noise’ which surrounds the tune is progressively taken away until we can finally hear it revealed.

Program Notes

Because of the "noisy" nature of this piece (tone clusters) it would be helpful for the audience to either place the following notes in the program or to read it to the audience before the performance.

Modern life is complex, fast-paced, and at times overwhelming. Many long to simplify the clutter of their day-to-day lives. Musically speaking, we seek harmony, but noise fills our existence. Somewhere in all the noise is the simplicity we seek, we just have to pause to clear away that which is not needed to achieve Clarity.

Gold - Quartet

Writing This Piece

This original composition was written for the Jubilate Quartet of Metropolitan United Church in London, Ontario, Canada. In the Jubilate Bells we are lucky to have a number of accomplished players who have years of experience. Laurel Hoover is one of those accomplished players who has played handbells since she was a young girl. At various OGEHR festivals she has had the opportunity to play with the “Gold Choir”. After one of the festivals Laural was very excited! The excitement was because the piece the Gold Choir played was challenging. I decided to write a piece in a similar style to try and ‘challenge’ Laurel!

Score and Individual Parts