Ringing in an Old Tune: How Firm a Foundation

It is certainly nice to return to a piece that was composed over forty years ago! Also comforting: the piece still works!

The Handbell Musicians of America, this country’s leading handbell organization, held its national seminar in Cincinnati this year. The opening concert, held at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church featured a special worship service that demonstrated the many ways that handbells can be used in the church. I was pleased to have a piece on the anthem portion of the program, my setting of How Firm a Foundation, for choir, handbells, and organ.

The performance, under the direction of Ben Owen, Director of Music Ministries, featured the Cathedral and Wesley Choirs and the Carillon Bells, prepared by Dr. Kristy Smith, Director of Bell Ministries. Dr. Brenda Portman, Resident Organist, was at the console.

How Firm a Foundation was composed in 1985 for the dedication ceremony of the new sanctuary at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cincinnati. The text has been attributed to Robert Keen, the music leader for a Baptist church in 18th century England. The poem was collected by the church’s pastor and first published in 1787. The text speaks with confidence about faith in God who sustains believers at all times, including times of trial. “Foundation,” the tune often associated with this text, is an American folk hymn, first appearing in 1832.

My setting uses four of the most familiar stanzas; each is set in its own unique manner to advance the meaning of the text. Opportunities for the choral and bell choirs to perform separately also appear. The audience is invited to join the anthem at the end, when the opening stanza is repeated.

In 1985, the handbell part was restricted to a two-octave ensemble. In 2026, the forces of Hyde Park’s handbell choir could present music for five octaves. As a result, a new part was designed to take advantage of the expanded range.

Excerpts from the score of How Firm a Foundation can be found in the choral section of the Composition tab on this website. Inquiries regarding performance can be made by contacting the composer.

The Handbell Musicians of America is dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell/handchime ringing through education, community and communication Formally known as AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers), the organization became the Handbell Musicians of America in 2010, a name identifying its members as musicians to be respected and taken seriously in the mainstream music world.