Epiphany and Palm Sunday are two festivals that are currently being ignored in some denominations or scattered churches within a denomination. Instead of traditional Epiphany, the alternative is the baptism of Christ. Palm Sunday has become Passion Sunday. Some of the "newer" hymn books published in the early 90's and following omit We Three Kings. It is common on Epiphany Sunday to have a slip sheet in the worship folder in order to sing the hymn. During my last years as a church musician, I used Epiphany Sunday as the time for the music groups (or handbell choir) to present the entire worship service in the form of Lessons and Carols. The congregation loved it because they could hear the Christmas story and sing the carols one more time without subconsciously thinking about all the things they still had to do to prepare for Christmas. It also made the Christmas Eve/Day services less like "animale carnivale" with everyone participating (to impress the C & E Christians?) to a shorter, perhaps quieter and more worshipful service.

     We Three Kings - There are at least 22 arrangements and most of them are 3-5+ octaves. There are 2-3 octaves arrangements by Kinyon and Stephenson and a 3 octave by Maggs - all level 1. Probably the most popular arrangement for 3-5 octaves is by Dobrinski (Agape 1390 L2) that uses mallets in the bass line. The arrangement will allow you to create the feeling of a caravan approaching, passing and disappearing off into the desert. The melody line has some decoration but is always obvious. It is a favorite with every handbell choir that has rung it. More involved using chimes, synthesizer and percussion is the Raney arrangement (Agape 2482), level 3+. For variety, look at We Three Jazzy Kings arranged by Prins, 4-6 octaves, level 4 (Flagstaff HB 316) or the Valerie Stephenson series of mallets only carols, We Three Kings (with attitude)  using clicking mallets shafts at different visual levels and a short section of melody that can be played on boomwackers. It makes a great concert encore. Several "brave" directors have used it in church and said "it brought down the house."

     The Wise Men and the Star for 2 octaves and narrator published in 1992 is one of the first "story" type settings that have become popular as children's moments in the worship service. This is level 2 from Ringing Word RW 8066.

     An Epiphany Carol - the setting of an English folksong for 3 octaves is about a level 2+ (2/2 meter). It has three measures of plucking and a section in 5 flats. It is a good exercise is unison and precision ringing. (Published in 1986 Beckenhorst Press HB 59). I remember watching Bill Griffin conduct this with the coppers in the middle of the hockey rink at the 1986 national festival held at the University of Minnesota. The English folksong melody creatively disguised is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. It's worth a second look.

     Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light arr. Linda Lamb for 3-5 octaves, chimes and optional C instrument is level 3. It is based on the Johann Schop melody ERMUNTRE DICH. (Concordia 97-7283). It is not as familiar as the Nicolai O Morning Star How Fair and Bright. Published in 1992 this was one of the first compatible editions available but different as we know compatible editions today. Arranged by Frances Callahan, both editions are about a 1+. ( MorningStar 2 octave 30-200 and 2/3 octave 30-201) This melody is also used as the basis for Fred Gramann's arrangement of Everlasting Light (Bronze/Area 10/ 2010) with a statement of the chorale to end the selection. Usually we hear the echo using a single chord over the duration of a measure as a foundation for melody in the treble bells. Fred was the first composer to introduce the echo in rhythmic variations - not always on the beat but using a single chord through the measure. Now Fred uses the echo technique in 16^th notes with alternating chords derived from the first two beats of the measure creating a unique sound. (C Guild CGB361  3-5 + Bb2 L 4)

     There are three arrangements of Brightest and Best are the Stars of the Morning. Barbara Kinyon has a 2-3 octave arrangement (Concordia 97-0709, level 2+) that uses chimes G5 - Bb6. There are several sections that provide good practice for connecting 8^th note arpeggios between the two clefs. Jane McFadden has done an exquisite setting of this melody (Beckenhorst HB 322, level 3, 3-5 octave). She uses mallets and mallet rolls as well as 3 octaves of chimes. There is a nice treble LV and TD descant above the melody rung by bass chimes. And, if you liked this setting, look at Bright and Glorious is the Sky  (Beckenhorst HB 402, 3/5 octave, level 3) She uses 3-4 octaves of chimes and has an optional Flute/C instrument part. The piece works well without the additional instrument.

     As With Gladness Men of Old is the other traditional Epiphany title. It is based on the hymn tune DIX which is one of those utilitarian tunes with a number of different sets of words. There are at least 10 arrangements of DIX under the title For the Beauty of the Earth that can be used with a title change. Using the title, As With Gladness many worshippers do not recognize the tune as For the Beauty.

      Stretching the subject of light, Light Eternal, an original by Cathy Moklebust, is a real winner. It contains running 16^th note patterns in the upper trebles, upper bass and battery bells during various sections of the piece. And, it contains one of those gorgeous melodies that only Cathy can create in the contrasting section. It is a challenge but one of those gems that reward all of the rehearsal time. The ringers enjoy ringing it and it is an audience pleaser. (Lorenz 20/1188L  Level 4+ 3-5 octaves).

Sunday, November 6 - 3 pm. Nancy Kirkner will perform on solo handbells at a choral concert given by a consortium of local churches. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 14514 20th Ave. NE, Shoreline. Freewill offering to benefit North Helpline. www.princeofpeaceshoreline.com.

Saturday, November 19 - 2:00 pm. Concert by Nancy Kirkner, solo handbells, with Janet Anderson, piano. Music of British composers, including Purcell, Elgar, and Vaughan Williams. Malya Muth, soprano, and Johanna Mastenbrook, piano, will also perform. St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 722 N. 145th St., Shoreline. Free.

Sunday, November 27 - 4:00 pm. Emerald City Ringers™ presents "Winter Wonderland" at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 745 Front Street South, Issaquah. Concert for the holidays with full bell choir, plus bell ensembles, music for hammered dulcimer, and more. Music includes seasonal favorites arranged for handbells, in addition to Seattle-area composer Ron Mallory's The Stars Await, Cathy Moklebust's On This Day Earth Shall Ring, and William Payn's Prisms. Suggested donation at the door $10 adults, $8 seniors/students. Refreshments served following the concert. www.emeraldcityringers.org.

Wednesday, November 30 - Noon. Christmas concert by Nancy Kirkner, solo handbells, and Janet Anderson, piano. Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th Street, Redmond. www.solobells.com. Free.

DeColores in Concert:

Sunday, December 18 - 3:00 pm, Memorial Bells of Our Savior Lutheran Church, 745 Front Street South, Issaquah, are joining with musicians in our midst to present a musical gift to the congregation. This will be a musical journey through the Advent and Christmas season in lessons and carols. Listeners will also be participants. Of course, holiday refreshments will follow. Memorial Bells will also be providing holiday music in December at Talus Retirement Home in Issaquah, and Wesley Home at Lea Hill. The concert at Wesley will be a chime only concert in prelude to creating a chime choir at this residence where Bobbie Benjamin last made her home. It was her dream to start one there, and we hope this generates the interest in accomplishing that goal.

Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 2 pm. Concert by Nancy Kirkner, solo handbells, with Janet Anderson, piano. Music of British composers, including Purcell, Howells, Elgar, and Vaughan Williams. Frye Art Museum auditorium, 704 Terry Street, Seattle. Free. www.solobells.com.