3-7 octaves – Level 3-4 (see below)
Total Duration: ~12:00

by Gustav Holst
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

Some of the most popular pieces by Gustav Holst are his suites for military band. The 2nd Suite for Military Band consists of the following four movements:

• March – Level 4 (arr. for 3-7 octaves of bells & 3 octaves of chimes)
• Song Without Words – Level 3 (arr. for 3-5 octaves of bells and 3-5 octaves of chimes)
• Song of the Blacksmith – Level 4 (arr. for 4-5 octaves of bells)
• Fantasia on the ‘Dargason’ – Level 4 (arr. for 5-6 octaves of bells and 5 octaves of chimes)

This Suite may be purchased all together or in individual movements. To preview or purchase individual movements, click on their titles above.

3-7 octaves of bells & 3 octaves of chimes – Level 4
Duration: 4:59

by Gustav Holst
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

The first movement of this suite is March, which sets the tone for whole suite. It is a challenging blend of English folk song sounds and is playable by 3 to 7 octaves. Chimes are optional but enhance the piece.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

3-5 octaves of bells and/or chimes – Level 3
Duration: 2:29

by Gustav Holst
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

This hauntingly beautiful melody was originally played on oboe. In this arrangement, the melody is played on bells while all the harmony is on chimes.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

4-5 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 1:14

by Gustav Holst
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

The third movement of Holst’s Second Suite in F traditionally features the sound of a hammer hitting an anvil, which is replaced by the high C in this arrangement.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

5-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 3:36

by Gustav Holst
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

The ‘Dargason’ theme permeates this final movement of the Suite, counterbalanced eventually by the ‘Greensleeves’ theme. Themes cross frequently in this piece which requires ringers to switch back and forth between bells and chimes.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

4-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 8:36

by Ludwig van Beethoven
transcribed by Scott Pfitzinger

The Second Movement from Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony is called “Allegretto” and is quite beautiful and interesting. The modal shifts are unusual and leave the major/minor tonality rather ambiguous. As the piece develops, Beethoven used increasingly complicated subdivided rhythms and polyrhythms.

This transcription stays true to the color and feel of the original orchestral version. The dynamics are often quiet and require a subtlety to evoke all those original feelings.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

4-6 octaves – Level 3
Duration: 2:05

by Luigi Boccherini
transcribed by Scott Pfitzinger

This piece was originally called “I spagnoli si divertono per la strada” and was written for string quintet. The piece made use of quadruple stops, with the players actually strumming the instruments like guitars. This particular number has also become popular through its presence in the movie Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, where Russell Crowe (as Capt. Jack Aubrey, and, yes, he actually learned to play violin enough to perform it for real in this movie) and Paul Bettany play it on the ship with just a violin and cello.

A fun little interlude of a piece (only about 2 minutes long) with a melody that moves around within the bell ranges. No key changes or tempo changes, and only a moderate amount of technique variance. Suitable for any occasion where a light-hearted change of pace is needed.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

3-5 octaves – Level 3
Duration: 3:08

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

A beautiful and reverent choral number reflecting those qualities in the Eucharist, this piece by Mozart has been arranged in a unique way, with the melody (soprano line) on handbells and the accompaniment (and other voice parts) on chimes.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

4-6 octaves – Level 3
Duration: 7:28

by Frederic Chopin
transcribed by Scott Pfitzinger

Chopin’s “Funeral March” (from his Piano Sonata Op.35) has long been used in cartoons and other settings when a feeling of doom is needed. This is the entire piece, including the middle section that is rarely heard. Every note, color, and technique from the original piano work has been painstakingly included in this transcription for 4-6 octaves of handbells.

Perfect for fall concerts, programs of cartoon music, or any time a less common classical piece is needed.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

3-5 octaves – Level 3
Duration: 4:39

by Georg Benda
transcribed by Scott Pfitzinger

George Benda lived from 1722 to 1795. Some of his most popular music is his collection of Sinfonias, which are most often performed (and recorded) by his descendant, Christian Benda, who conducts the Prague Chamber Orchestra.

This Larghetto movement is from the 11th of Benda’s Sinfonias. It is not very long, but because of the slow, relaxed pace, it takes about four and a half minutes to perform. Don’t let the dotted-sixteenths scare you; the tempo makes them playable and even fun in a lilting sort of way.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

3-7 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 1:58

by Frederic Chopin
transcribed by Scott Pfitzinger

Chopin’s Waltz, Opus 64, No. 1, is marked molto vivace and is customarily called the “Minute Waltz” because it can be performed in about one minute. This arrangement for handbells will take more like 1:20 to 1:40. This is an excellent short piece to showcase the middle and upper bells with long melodic runs.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

4-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 4:43

by Scott Pfitzinger

Is there a talented treble ringer in your handbell choir? This original piece features a six-in-hand soloist who is accompanied by the rest of the ensemble. It is rated level 4 for the ensemble and a level 5 for the soloist.

This piece should be treated like a classical concerto, with the soloist at their own music stand in front of the ensemble. No extra bells are needed for the soloist—they can be taken from the main ensemble while the other ringers play the remaining notes, which are all lower. The ending is to be taken very freely (not necessarily slowly), almost jazz-like and at the pace of the soloist, with the ensemble changing chords in accompaniment to the soloist.

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

2-4 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 3:42

by Gioacchino Rossini
transcribed by Scott Pfitzinger

The Lone Ranger rides again! Experience all the excitement and energy of the end of the William Tell Overture, which the Lone Ranger made famous! All the colors and sounds of the orchestral version included, even with only 2 octaves! How fast can YOUR handbell ensemble gallop?

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview

4-7 octaves – Level 5
Duration: 3:56

by Gioacchino Rossini
transcribed by Scott Pfitzinger

The Lone Ranger rides again! Experience all the excitement and energy of the end of the William Tell Overture, which the Lone Ranger made famous! A definite crowd pleaser, with all the colors and sounds of the orchestral version included. How fast can YOUR handbell ensemble gallop?

To hear a demo of this piece: Audio Demo
To view the first few pages: Preview