Ann - I've been utilizing Dale's piece for years since I became a director in the mid 80s. I played the piece for its premiere performance under my mother Joan Shull's direction during a service of darkness for Holy Week in Manhattan, Kansas back in the late 70's, I believe. Over the years I've made slight additions and variations to the original based on the ensemble I have and the space we are playing in. Addition of octaves, playing the initial melody on chimes rather than bells, doubling the melodic line or harmonies with chimes, and for this performance the random ringing and singing bells at the beginning and end. I've tried not to depart or distract from the nature of the composition in any of these embellishments :) but hopefully expanding on the character of the piece utilizing instruments and techniques that weren't around when Dale wrote it. I still love the simple stark arrangement of the piece as well and would use that unchanged in Holy Week performances. Though I do love the addition of chimes to sustain the handbell reverberations for the first page and a half and on the last page. So glad you are performing it. I agree with you that it is a timeless piece! -Kevin Shull
I'm curious about your addition of singing bells and chimes to this timeless piece. The group I direct will play it in two weeks.
Ann - I've been utilizing Dale's piece for years since I became a director in the mid 80s. I played the piece for its premiere performance under my mother Joan Shull's direction during a service of darkness for Holy Week in Manhattan, Kansas back in the late 70's, I believe. Over the years I've made slight additions and variations to the original based on the ensemble I have and the space we are playing in. Addition of octaves, playing the initial melody on chimes rather than bells, doubling the melodic line or harmonies with chimes, and for this performance the random ringing and singing bells at the beginning and end. I've tried not to depart or distract from the nature of the composition in any of these embellishments :) but hopefully expanding on the character of the piece utilizing instruments and techniques that weren't around when Dale wrote it. I still love the simple stark arrangement of the piece as well and would use that unchanged in Holy Week performances. Though I do love the addition of chimes to sustain the handbell reverberations for the first page and a half and on the last page. So glad you are performing it. I agree with you that it is a timeless piece! -Kevin Shull