To Sing God's Praise

This widely loved hymn tune may have originated as a folk tune in the early 1800s. It was probably sung "slowly with grace notes and melodic embellishments" and was included in a collection of Appalachian tunes in 1829. "Slowly with grace notes"? Not so in this setting! At least not past the first nine measures, which feature a creative pairing of two melodic passages in the hymn rung with optional auxiliary bells and handchimes. Then the energetic rhythms begin. The time signature is basically 7/8 with 3/4, 10/8, and 2/4 interspersed. The melody is rung throughout the bell and chime ranges, and techniques include mallet on padded table, ring touch, shake, mart, mart-lift, and let vibrate, perfectly placed for maximum musical effect. Ringers will find this arrangement a fun challenge, and audiences will be thoroughly engaged – a must-have for your moderately skilled group!