It's always exciting to teach children in the fall when they are ready to learn and eager to experience new things. Such is the case with beginning handbells or handchimes. I begin with a little instruction about whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes and spend a lot of time in rhythm practice. New things are best received in a spirit of togetherness; therefore, my beginning pieces rely heavily on chords. That way no one stands out too much when a wrong note is rung. Here is a great piece for new ringers--DO LORD, a traditional spiritual that kids love to sing. The melody is played by an early intermediate flutist, and the ringers become the rhythm accompaniment. In no time at all, you will hear and see success! They will want to play it over and over-- and now your ringers have a small taste of what it sounds like to harmonize together. My friend Maestro approves, and he especially likes the fact that I color code notes on each ringer's sheet music. so if a ringer can count, he/she can ring! Four pages total (bell part and flute part), key of G with no key changes. Performance time: 1:25 minutes. Perfect piece for a two-octave Handbell or handchime set. PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO MAKE NECESSARY COPIES FOR RINGERS AND FLUTIST.

FORMATTED FOR TWO-SIDED PRINTING: Internationally acclaimed acoustic guitarist Ellsworth ("El") McMeen has been arranging hymns and other spiritual music for guitar for over 30 years. He started in standard guitar tuning, but moved away from that tuning into various so-called "open" tunings. He has been called the "King of CGDGAD tuning," in light of his prolific arrangements and compositions in that lush and evocative tuning. This major work of spiritual music contains 26 guitar settings of hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs, all lovingly arranged for solo fingerstyle guitar in the CGDGAD tuning. This book contains a chord chart for the aid of the reader. El is included in the Digitaldreamdoor listing of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists. https://tinyurl.com/GreatestGuitarists Many of El's recordings are described here: https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElMcMeen

The audio sampler contains excerpts from these 10 songs, all in CGDGAD tuning:

1. Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
2. In Christ There is No East or West
3. Jacob's Ladder
4. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
5. Kingsfold (Tune: "Star of the County Down")
6. Poor Wayfaring Stranger
7. Praise to the Lord
8. Simple Gifts
9. This Is My Father's World
10. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Tune:
"Water is Wide")

El's double-length recording called "Gospel Guitar Treasures" can be found here: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/elmcmeen7

Song List: From "Spiritual Jazz" - I'm Going to Sing/Ain't-a That Good News? Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen Just A Closer Walk With Thee Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child Good News! The Chariot's Comin'! Deep River and Go Down Moses/Wade in the Water. From "Celtic Hymns" - Be Thou My Vision Morning has Broken All Through The Night Come O Thou Traveler Unknown O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus Lord Enthroned In Heavenly Splendor Brother James' Air and Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah. Some "Swedish Hymns" also included - Day by Day Children Of The Heavenly Father If I Gained The World Thanks To God For My Redeemer I Have a Friend and He the Pearly Gates Will Open.

There is always chaos and uncertainty in the world and personal insecurity about our place and part in it.

In the end, we just have to weather the things we cannot change...but still be as genuine to ourselves and our truth as possible. Some of us will keep on searching our whole lives.

This is an accapella original contemporary choir piece detailing the ever present struggle (SSABB) - it may be performed by full choir or small group, and any unison sections may be solo in any voice. A full recording in this format is available to hear at https://soundcloud.com/swalters79/spiritual (recorded & produced in lockdown)

I am a professional musician and arranger: please contact simonwalters32@gmail.com for any commissions.

Thank you.

This unmetered, reflective setting of the Liguori text is supported by prayerful contemporary Gospel chords. This text is appropriate for livestream Masses during social distancing and can become part of one's prayer life before the Blessed Sacrament or to link the events of the day to reception of the Eucharist at Mass.

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/armstrong/if-you-cant-receive-communion-make-a-spiritual-communion