Ten Traditional Spirituals (for 8-note Bells and Boomwhackers with Black and White Notes)
by Sharon Wilson
Handbell Choir - Digital Sheet Music

This collection contains 10 traditional spirituals arranged for 2-part ensembles using only 8-note instruments. Each song in this collection is notated for handbells on one part and Boomwhackers® on a second part (requires one set of each instrument). Handbells play the melody while the Boomwhackers® keep a steady beat with three-note chords. For each song, there is a combined score with both parts on a grand staff plus a separate 1-staff score for each individual part.

Though this sheet music is notated for handbells and Boomwhackers®, these arrangements are playable by any 8-note, C major diatonic scale (one octave) instrument such as a xylophone or glockenspiel.

This set of scores uses black and white noteheads and is best suited for musicians already familiar with reading standard music notation. For beginning musicians, this same set of scores is available (sold separately) with color coded noteheads (requires a color printer).

The number of ringers and whackers needed will vary depending on the skill level of the participants. For more advanced players, each person could be assigned two or three notes. For beginners, it is best to assign one or two notes to each person. Instrument assignment suggestions are provided for each song.

Only filled noteheads (quarter and eighth notes) are used so the notes are easier to see (this does not indicate the bells need to be silenced immediately before the next beat). Also, only quarter and eighth rests are used to help visualize the number of beats per measure. Lyrics and chord names are provided as well to aid in the learning and teaching of each song. The staves are shown without sharps or flats for simplicity since even though some of the songs are actually written in the key of F or G major, no sharps or flats are used.

Other suggestions and uses:
* have both parts played by bells or both parts played using only Boomwhackers®    
* form a choir using multiple sets of bells and/or Boomwhackers® (this would amplify the sound and allow more people to participate)
* use as part of the music education for children at school, home, or church
* these colorful, inexpensive instruments can be enjoyed by all ages and add a fun, unique element to activities and programs: senior centers, family reunions, church retreats, home school groups, children's ministries

Each of the 10 arrangements in this collection is also available separately with accompanying preview pages and audio samples.

Titles included in this collection:
Come and Praise the Lord
Every Time I Feel the Spirit
I Shall Not Be Moved
I'm Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing
I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me
I've God Peace Like a River
Kum Ba Yah
Rise and Shine
We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
When the Saints Go Marching In

Boomwhackers® is a registered trademark of Rhythm Band Instruments, LLC. Used by permission.