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The Divine Office: A Suite for Handbells, 4 oct.

The “Divine Office” or “Liturgy of the Hours” is a set of short services observed 8 times a day. Celebration of the Divine Office began during the Medieval Period and is still observed today in monasteries throughout the world. The services take place approximately every three hours: Matins (2:00 am), Lauds (5:00 am), Prime (dawn), Terce (9:00 am), Sext (noon), None (3:00 pm), Vespers (6:00 pm or dusk), Compline (8:00 pm or just before bed). Structure varies between services, but generally they consist of psalms, prayers, antiphons, responses, canticles and readings.

The Divine Office:  A Suite for Handbells is an original, programmatic composition designed to illustrate both the 8 services in the Breviary, and scenes from medieval life. This extended, 21st Century work has 6 compatible, independent movements; one for each of the canonical hours. These movements may be performed as separate pieces. The hours of terce, sext and none are combined into Pilgrimage, the 4th movement. Originally it was commissioned for 4 octaves of Petit and Fritsen handbells (alternate bells), but cue notes have been added to adapt it to regular handbells. Click on the titles below for more info on the individual movements.

1. Matins

from The Divine Office: A Suite for Handbells 4 oct., optional vocal soloist, wind or bar chimes. Matins depicts sleepy monks rising for the 2:00am service. Drowsy at first, they gradually rouse and join together in prayer. The solo cantor’s call (Glory Be to the Father) is followed by the assembly in responsorial prayer. 4 oct., …

2. Lauds

from The Divine Office: A Suite for Handbells 4 oct. Peaceful tolling of the bell summons the people of the surrounding community to prayer. The chanting of the monks invites them to join in. The office of Lauds segues into the Mass. Listen carefully and you can hear the words of the Kyrie echoing between …

3. Prime

from The Divine Office: A Suite for Handbells 4 oct. This fanfare proclaims the impending arrival of the nobility and depicts their travels. Lvl. 3. Cat. no. 4T3. Handbell choir, 21st Century, alternate bells Choir copy: $ US Single copy: $ US

4. Pilgrimage

from The Divine Office: A Suite for Handbells 4 oct., optional finger cymbals, tambourine. Pilgrimage chronicles people traveling on their long journey to the monastery. As they travel, they grow in numbers as troubadours, artisans, merchants and townsfolk join in the expedition. The canonic hours of terce, sext and none are combined in this movement. …

5. Vespers

from The Divine Office: A Suite for Handbells 4 oct., optional 3 oct. chimes. At Vespers, weary travelers settle down for a quiet service of prayer and thanks. This movement is a fantasia on two familiar hymns: Veni Creator and To You, Before the Close of Day. The opening 15 measures employs different styles of …

6. Compline

from The Divine Office: A Suite for Handbells 4 oct., optional 3 oct. chimes. The introduction in Compline showcases motifs from all previous movements and ties them all together. It portrays tired minds drifting, as people reflect on their busy day, while preparing for worship. The service commences with a call and response, as the …