Free Handbell Sheet Music Resources Where To Find Printable Scores For Bell Choirs

Oct. 25, 2025, 6:02 a.m.

Tags: handbell

Introduction

Handbell choirs have become increasingly popular in various musical settings, from churches to community groups and schools. For those looking to start or expand a handbell choir, accessing sheet music can be a significant expense. Fortunately, numerous resources offer free handbell sheet music that can be downloaded and printed at no cost. This article explores the various websites and platforms that provide free handbell arrangements, the types of music available, and important considerations when using these resources.

Types of Free Handbell Music Available

Free handbell sheet music comes in various forms, ranging from simple arrangements for beginners to more complex pieces for experienced choirs. The available music typically falls into several categories:

Traditional Christmas carols and hymns
Classical arrangements
Folk songs and patriotic pieces
Children's songs
Gospel and inspirational music
Secular popular tunes

Most free resources focus on shorter pieces or arrangements for smaller ensembles, particularly those using limited numbers of bells such as 8, 12, or 16 bells. However, some sources offer arrangements for full handbell choirs spanning multiple octaves.

Websites Offering Free Handbell Sheet Music

Choraegus Free Music Collection

Choraegus maintains a substantial collection of free handbell music that can be downloaded directly from their website. Their current selection is limited to pieces that use exactly 8 bells, which makes these arrangements particularly suitable for smaller groups or those just beginning to explore handbell ringing.

The available titles from Choraegus include: - Alouette - Auld Lang Syne - Daisy Bell - Dona Nobis Pacem - Doxology (Old Hundredth) - Happy Birthday - Home on the Range - O Come, All Ye Faithful - The Ants Go Marching - The Spider Song - This Old Man - Wedding Bell Peals

Users can access these free scores through the "Freebies" section of the Choraegus website. The download process has been simplified, with users only needing to click on the "Download This Freebie" link to open the PDF in a new browser tab. From there, the music can be printed or saved for immediate use.

Choraegus explicitly states that there is no catch to these free offerings—users are not required to purchase anything or provide contact information. These free arrangements serve as a way for potential customers to sample the quality of Choraegus's music offerings, with the hope that they might explore the company's paid arrangements in the future.

Beyond the free selections, Choraegus offers a wide range of purchasable music including solo handbell pieces, arrangements for 6 bells with piano accompaniment, and numerous 8-bell titles. The company also publishes works for 12 and 16 bells, as well as pieces designed for full handbell choirs. Their catalog includes arrangements of popular hymns and classical pieces alongside original compositions.

8notes.com Handbell Collection

8notes.com provides a small but focused collection of free handbell sheet music. Their offerings include seven traditional and classical pieces:

Carol of the Bells (Traditional)
Greensleeves (Traditional)
O Holy Night (Traditional)
Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Mendelssohn)
Ring the Bells (Traditional)
Noel (Traditional)
Weihnachtsglocken (Christmas Bells) by Krug

The website organizes these pieces with information about the composer or arranger and the difficulty level, though specific difficulty ratings are not provided in the source data. This collection appears focused primarily on Christmas and holiday-themed music, making it particularly useful for ensembles preparing seasonal performances.

Ashley Danyew's Free Handbell Music Resources

Ashley Danyew's website offers a curated selection of free handbell music arrangements, with a particular emphasis on hymn arrangements suitable for worship settings. The available pieces include:

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
What Child is This?
Holy, Holy, Holy
Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Take My Life and Let it Be
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Go My Children With My Blessing

These arrangements are presented in various formats, including hymn settings, processional pieces, and hymn accompaniments. The website also references a related post titled "50 Pieces for the Small Handbell Choir," which may contain additional recommendations beyond the explicitly listed free offerings.

A note on the website cautions that because these are free arrangements, the engraving (music notation quality) may not be as professional as commercially published music. This is an important consideration for ensembles that prioritize polished presentation in their performances.

The Inspired Instructor: Beginner-Friendly Handbell Music

The Inspired Instructor offers free handbell sheet music specifically designed for beginners and educational settings. These arrangements are reproducible and focus on public domain traditional children's songs, inspirational pieces, and Christmas music.

Key features of these beginner arrangements include:

Melodies contained within one octave
Compatibility with various instruments including KidsPlay handbells, resonator bells, glockenspiels, Boomwhackers®, soprano recorders, and flutophones
Incorporation of drum scores above lyrics to help students learn to keep tempo
Large, easy-to-read fonts suitable for sight-reading
Options for color-coding to match bells or chimes
Simple harmonies and rounds presented in soprano-alto format
Color rectangles over notes for musicians who cannot yet read standard notation
Color system corresponding to the KidsPlay color system (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)
Available as projectable PDFs in PowerPoint format, including rhythm charts, grayscale sheet music, and color-coded versions
Audio recordings available online or for download

The website organizes these pieces by skill level, with Level 3 & 4 songs including brief explanations on how to count the rhythm. This makes these resources particularly valuable for music educators working with young students or those new to handbell ringing.

Linda McKechnie's Handbell Arrangements

Linda McKechnie offers arrangements specifically designed for two or three octave handbell choirs. While these arrangements are not free samples (they require a minimum purchase of 6 copies), they represent an important resource for handbell ensembles at the intermediate level.

Key features of McKechnie's arrangements include:

Musical creativity and engaging content suitable for two or three octave choirs
Careful composition that gives importance to high, low, and middle-range notes
Options for transcription into a digital color-coded letter system for non-music readers, including those who are functionally challenged or elderly with memory loss
Some arrangements include lyrics and chord symbols for additional versatility
Introduction to whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and basic handbell techniques
No accidentals or bell changes in the introductory pieces

These arrangements were newly published as of November 2020, and the composer welcomes questions and comments at [email protected]. Future plans include publishing these arrangements in book form with additional exercises and educational material for beginning choirs.

Considerations When Using Free Handbell Music

When utilizing free handbell sheet music resources, there are several important considerations to keep in mind:

Copyright and Usage Rights

Most free handbell music is offered for personal or educational use, but it's important to respect any usage restrictions specified by the provider. Some arrangements may require attribution, while others may be restricted to non-commercial use.

Quality of Engraving

As noted in several sources, free handbell arrangements may not have the same professional engraving quality as commercially published music. The notation might be less polished, which could affect readability for some musicians. This is particularly relevant for ensembles that prioritize visual presentation in their performances.

Skill Level Appropriateness

Free resources often cater to specific skill levels or ensemble sizes. Some focus on beginners with simple pieces, while others offer arrangements for more experienced choirs. It's important to select music that matches the abilities of your ringers and the size of your ensemble.

Technical Requirements

Different free resources may have varying technical requirements. Some offer PDFs that can be downloaded directly, while others might require specific software or account creation. Understanding these requirements in advance can help ensure smooth access to the desired music.

Conclusion

Free handbell sheet music resources provide valuable opportunities for ensembles of all sizes and skill levels to expand their repertoire without financial investment. Websites like Choraegus, 8notes.com, Ashley Danyew's collection, The Inspired Instructor, and Linda McKechnie's offerings each provide unique advantages depending on the specific needs of a handbell choir.

For those seeking simple arrangements for small ensembles, Choraegus's 8-bell pieces and 8notes.com's focused collection offer accessible starting points. Educators working with beginners will find The Inspired Instructor's resources particularly valuable, with their emphasis on color-coding and progressive skill development. Meanwhile, Ashley Danyew's hymn arrangements provide excellent options for worship settings, and Linda McKechnie's compositions offer structured learning paths for developing intermediate skills.

When utilizing these free resources, it's important to consider copyright restrictions, engraving quality, skill level appropriateness, and technical requirements. By doing so, handbell choir directors and musicians can make the most of these valuable offerings while respecting the work of arrangers and composers who generously share their creations at no cost.