An Easter Call To Praise (arr. Stacey Nordmeyer) (Handbells): Choral Instrumental Pak

Nordmeyer's arrangement respects the hymn tune's strength while creating genuine excitement through the addition of handbells and brass. The scoring allows singers and instrumentalists to shine equally, and the flexibility with choir size means you're not locked into a specific configuration. It reads as both fresh and reverent, a rare balance for Easter programming.

Bright and buoyant, with the warmth of a familiar hymn given new life. The handbells add clarity and shimmer while brass brings weight and declaration, creating an overall sense of celebration that feels both joyful and grounded.

This works for choirs with instrumental ensembles who want an Easter feature that doesn't require massive forces. Whether your brass section is three players or five, and whether your singers number thirty or three hundred, the arrangement scales to what you have.

• Balance the hymn melody between singers and brass so neither drowns the other out; think of them as conversational partners rather than competitors.
• Let the handbells ring fully without rushing the decay. Their shimmer is part of what gives this arrangement its character.
• Prepare singers to enter confidently after instrumental introductions. A clear gesture and one beat of preparation goes a long way with mixed ability choirs.

This makes an excellent opening number for an Easter service or concert. Its combination of vocal and instrumental color sets a festive tone while the hymn tune grounds it in tradition, so it pairs well whether your program leans sacred or secular.

• Singing with instrumental ensembles and matching blend across different timbres
• Reading and executing rhythmic figures over sustained instrumental parts
• Shaping phrases in a hymn tune arrangement with modern harmonic context
• Balancing dynamic control when singing as a section with competing instrumental voices