Product Description
"The First Christmas" is an 84 measure, 4-5 octave, handbell choir medley of the Christmas carols: "The First Nowell", "O Come, O Come" Emmanuel", "Lo, How a Rose Eer Blooming", and "Angels from the Realms of Glory" Parts of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", and "Lo, How a Rose Eer Blooming" are scored for OPTIONAL 3 octaves of handchimes, but handbells can be substituted, if desired. Those two carol selections are reserved, reverent, soft and slow, in contrast to the first and last selections, which are much more exuberant in nature. This medley varies in tempo, volume levels, and style, throughout. Towards the end, there are tolls (swings) and a shake. It includes a brief introduction and an extended half-timed ending. Occasionally, there are descant lines and bass runs. I believe that this would be a level 2+ (2 plus) arrangement. The MP3 audio file provided is in a piano voice (patch) but suffices to demonstrate how this arrangement is generally meant to sound.
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