Arr by John Behnke . . . Easter Small Collection . . . 

This is a useful and practical collection that is written for handchimes, and is therefore at an easy Level 1 -- but there is no reason handbells cannot be used instead.  It features two separated arrangements - Go To Dark Gethsemane and Good Christian Friends, Rejoice . . . and the slow resonant sounds of the chimes (in half and whole notes in the battery and the bass) make the sounds produced appealing.  There are a few swings in Good Christian Friends, but otherwise there are no special techniques to clutter up the arrangement.  The melodies appear both in the treble and in the bass.  Highly recommended by Handbell Services for handchime clarity and ease of performance.

• Key of G Major, 4/4 and 3/4 time signatures, marked "moderato" 102 speed and "with joy" 108 speed

• Notes are all quarters and halfs and whole; there are no accidentals

• Some swings are the only special technique

• Dynamics range from mezzo to ff, and the swing techniqes ending Good Christian Friends are quite dramatic.

© 2009 AGEHR Publishing