Giusto Con Vivo

Commissioned by Handbell Musicians of America Area 8 for the June 2014 "Ring Davenport" festival, this original work takes its name from the marking "Tempo Giusto," meaning "the proper tempo." Marts, mallets, thumb-damps, shakes, echoes, and chimes all add interest and help the ringers play it "con vivo" (with life), much to the delight of their listeners, particularly in massed festival settings. The fanfare introduction yields lighthearted melodies which use parallel major and minor keys, and the powerful ending drives it home with flair.