ALLEGRO Union, The

5 Octave Handbell Ensemble / L4+
[5,(5),mallets]

Inspired by the turn of the new millennium, The ALLEGRO Union is an upbeat 4-minute fanfare overture celebrating music for music's sake.

The haunting 'B' section optionally uses a full 5-octave range of handchimes and introduces a new spin on a familiar carol. Audiences will enjoy the haunting tones of your lowest chimes! The development section briefly also briefly quotes from another handbell work, Elegy, by William A. Payn, which was also commissioned by members of the Allegro Handbell Ensemble in memory of former director Dwight K. Menard.

A pleasure to conduct, the work begins in 6/8 (conducted in two) and occasionally slips into 3/4 and 4/4, giving ringers an opportunity to learn time signature changes while the eighth-note remains constant. There are also sections which give the opportunity for conductors to reassign ringers to assist others in challenging handbell and handchime changes, opening ringers to reading outside of "their lines" on the staff.

The title refers to the ensemble for which is was composed and the church at which it has enjoyed over 30 years of history.

"Composed for the Allegro Handbell Choir of the Union Church of Hinsdale, Illinois. Michael Surratt, Director. Presented to them after their June 23, 2000, concert at Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church of Greencastle, Indiana."

Instrumentation Required

• 5 octaves handbells
• 5 octaves handchimes (opt.)
  
• mallets
  

AGEHR Level 4+

Digital Media Available

• Listen: (4:05)
• Score Preview: PDF (751 KB)
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