God of Our Fathers

God of Our Fathers is a challenging piece - Level 4. It has marts, mart lifts, key changes, shakes, triplets against duplets and my favorite, eighth note triplets against quarter note triplets. Ooooo, it is so exciting to hear. It is published by Alfred music. You can purchase it from them or from www.handbellworld.com

I found this listing of God of Our Fathers in a church order of worship from First United Methodist Church in Iowa City, Iowa.

I always enjoy seeing that someone has played one of my pieces in worship or in a concert.

Here's the listing from Alfred

God of Our Fathers

Arr. R. Lyndel Littleton

ITEM: 00-18569

UPC: 038081169415

PRICE: $3.50

SERIES: Alfred Handbell Series

CATEGORY: Handbell Music

VOICING: 3-5 Octaves

LEVEL: 4 (Advanced Ringers)
A dynamic and energetic arrangement of the "National Hymn" for 3-5 octaves handbell choir. Recurring triplet figure recalls the trumpets that herald each verse of the hymn. Appropriate for church, school and festivals. Especially useful for patriotic events.

Brethren Keeps Ringing

I got an e-mail today from a lady who lives in Denver. I knew her from Martin. She wrote that she was playing bells at her new church and she had asked the director if they had ever played any of my pieces. The director - at that time - said she didn't remember ever playing anything with my name on it. then this past week in rehearsal she brought out a new song. It was "Brethren"! The lady who wrote me told me she stopped the rehearsal and told everyone that she knew me and that we were in Martin at the same time.

How fun is that?

We started "Brethren" at Hilldale this past Sunday too.

Hilldale's handbell choir at festival.

It was already in their library. They did great playing through it for their first time. It takes playing it for awhile to get comfortable with all of the key changes, the syncopations and the marts at interesting times. The music says it is a level 3, but I've always thought it was a level 4.

This site handbells.com brought to you by Gold Coast Music co. lists it as level 4. I think that is more acurate.