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

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

3-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 1:23

Hungarian folk tune
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

Hungarian music is known for lively rhythms and irregular meters. The same is true for much of their Christmas music. This traditional Hungarian Christmas carol tells the story of the birth of Jesus. The entire piece, though, is in 7/8 time and is quite energetic without being overly complicated. It is a Level 3 piece with a Level 4 time signature.

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

3-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 3:16

by James Pierpont
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

This is a fun, complex, and humorous new look at Jingle Bells, incorporating musical “hints” at ten other Christmas songs that mention bells. A great opportunity to encourage audiences to listen at a deeper level and try to hear all ten songs.

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

4-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 3:38

by Scott Pfitzinger

Late Night Blues is an original piece written in a standard 12-bar blues style. The bass section gets a chance to shine as the rhythm section playing a foundation that has been compared to ZZ Top’s “La Grange.”

The ending is very jazzy, with chords held while some of the bells play pseudo-improvisatory solo lines. Since jazz pieces are still seldom heard in handbell repertoire, Late Night Blues is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

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

4-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 2:39

Mexican folk songs
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

This piece combines two Mexican Christmas songs, “Los Peces en el Rio” and “Dale, Dale, Dale.” Variations on the first theme involve many techniques, including malleting (suspended and on the table), plucks, pluck-lifts, and gyros. The piece ends with a rousing rendition of “Dale, Dale, Dale,” which Mexican children sing when trying to hit the piñata, getting faster and faster, with marts simulating the swings at the piñata.

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: 2:55

by Scott Pfitzinger

This original piece has a modern rock style, with a driving bass and syncopated rhythms that get more complex as the piece progresses.

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

3-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 2:31

by Henry J. Gauntlett
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

Based on the original Christmas carol by Henry J. Gauntlett, this piece starts with a traditional presentation of the carol, but then quickly breaks into a jazzy, syncopated, upbeat version that uses a variety of handbell techniques and drives right through to the end. A high-energy piece that is fun for all!

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

3-7 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 2:50

by Scott Pfitzinger

This original piece (the title means “Blue Rondo” in Italian) has a jazzy, syncopated feel with several “tricky spots” loaded with accidentals. The strong, driving rhythms continue all the way to the end!

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

3-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 4:28

German folk song
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

“O Tannenbaum” (also known as “O Christmas Tree”) is a traditional German Christmas carol. This arrangement for 3-6 octaves of handbells works its way through a variety of styles, including waltz, march, swing, and rock.

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

4-6 octaves – Level 2-4 (see below)
Total Duration: ~11:20

by Scott Pfitzinger

This suite combines original melodies with familiar hymn tunes. The three movements can be played all together or individually. A performance suggestion is to use all three during a church worship service. The three short pieces can be used for the Prelude, Offertory, and Postlude.

1. Exaltation – Level 3 (for 4-6 octaves)
2. Reverence – Level 4 (for 4-6 octaves)
3. Worship – Level 2 (for 4-5 octaves)

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

4-6 octaves – Level 4
Duration: 4:30

by Scott Pfitzinger

“Reverence” is the middle movement of Triad. It opens with a syncopated melody and rhythm, transitions to a more marchlike section, then combines the two to be played at the same time. This combination winds down, becoming more meditative and reverent, leading to a verse of “Holy, Holy, Holy.”

If using all three movements during a worship service, this middle movement is ideal for use as an offertory or special number.

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