The Ringing Year:Twenty-Four Pieces for 3–5 Octaves of Handbell

DESCRIPTIONTwenty-four original pieces for handbell choir that follow the Christian year, from the lamps of Advent to the bells of Easter, the wind and flame of Pentecost and the peace of All Saints, with music for Thanksgiving, weddings and funerals.

Written for 3, 4 or 5 octaves of handbells at Levels 2 and 3, with optional handchimes. The music is clear to read and rewarding to hear: the melody sits in the treble staff, the bass bells ring broken chords in the bass clef, and a moving inner line keeps the texture flowing rather than marching in block chords.

Every piece opens with a full page for the director:

• a Handbells Used chart showing every bell, with ringer brackets

• a ringer assignment table showing which bells each ringer holds and what they play (melody, inner line or bass)

• adaptations for 3- and 4-octave choirs and optional handchimes

• key, meter, tempo, duration and level

• a scripture reference, suggested use in worship, a programme note and performance notes

Inside the score, labels such as “Melody R8–11 · R” show which ringers carry each line and which technique to use, so rehearsals start quickly and every ringer knows their part.

The book also includes:

• a Church Year Index with scripture references and suggested service use

• an overview of all 24 pieces: key, level, bells, ringers, handchimes and duration

• indexes by level and by technique

• a guide to set sizes, written ranges and ringer positions

• a technique guide (R, LV, Sk, Sw, Mart., Pl., TD, Mal., Echo, Gyro)

• rehearsal suggestions, a glossary and manuscript pages for notes

• a QR code linking to recordings on YouTube

The pieces:Advent: Prelude: The Lamps Are Lit; Waiting SongChristmas: Bells of Bethlehem; Lullaby at the Manger; Starlight ProcessionalEpiphany: The Magi’s Road; Light to the NationsTransfiguration: On the MountainAsh Wednesday: Ash and DustLent: Forty Days; KyriePalm Sunday: Hosanna ProcessionalMaundy Thursday: In the Upper RoomGood Friday: At the CrossEaster: Easter Peal: Alleluia!; The Garden at DawnAscension: Ascension FanfarePentecost: Wind and FlameTrinity Sunday: Trinity ChoraleOrdinary Time: Communion MeditationAll Saints: Cloud of WitnessesThanksgiving: Harvest SongWeddings: Wedding ProcessionalFunerals and Memorials: In Paradisum

Each piece lasts two to three minutes, which suits preludes, offertories, Communion and postludes. There is about 51 minutes of music in all.

Innocent Okechukwu is a Nigerian composer whose music has been performed across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas by ensembles including the JACK Quartet, the Chamber Orchestra of Boston and the Brazilian Symphonic Orchestra. A Ph.D. candidate in composition at the University of Iowa, he won first prize in the 2026 Luna Nova Pipe Organ Composition Contest. His music has been recorded by Navona Records and published by Hal Leonard.