A Song of Hanukkah: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Ma'oz Tzur
Hebrew Folk Song / arr. Robert Sheldon
Grade: 1.5 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0007401
$52.00
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Description
"Ma'oz Tzur" has been a favorite song for the Season of Lights for generations. This stirring arrangement by Robert Sheldon sparkles with the joy of the holidays. (2:10) Correlates to Book 2, level 2.
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Additional Details
Series:
Sound Innovations for Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
136
SKU:
00-PK-0007401
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon's arrangements and compositions appear on festival and contest programs across the globe, and his work is central to wind band repertoire at every level. Beyond his prolific output as a composer, Sheldon co-authored Sound Innovations for Concert Band, the method series that frames this arrangement. He has received honors from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP, and his guest conducting appearances include All-State ensembles, honor bands, and universities worldwide.
Sheldon's commissions and annual publications reflect his commitment to creating music that serves the pedagogical needs of student ensembles while maintaining genuine artistic substance. He has conducted his own works at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall in Boston, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, the Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center. In 2020, VanderCook College of Music granted him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to music education.
Why we love this
Sheldon's arrangement captures the celebratory warmth of this timeless holiday hymn without overwhelming young players. The orchestration sparkles with light and clarity at Grade 1.5, allowing sections to shine individually while keeping ensemble balance manageable. It fits naturally into winter programming whether your concert includes other seasonal repertoire or stands alone as a meaningful cultural moment in your season.
What to expect
Sunlight and celebration break through in waves of color. The arrangement hums with familiar warmth, the kind of song that carries generations of memory, yet here it feels fresh and alive. Bright articulation and clean harmony give it clarity and forward motion; you hear both the reverence and the joy in equal measure.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 1.5 level, particularly those seeking meaningful seasonal repertoire with accessibility and artistic substance. This is ideal for groups making their first forays into holiday programming or directors building a year-round library that honors cultural traditions.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melodic material between upper woodwinds and brass; the tune should sing above the harmonic foundation without forcing dynamics.
- Shape the phrases with gentle swells rather than dramatic crescendos; this piece relies on bright articulation and clean rhythmic ensemble to project joy.
- Attend to intonation in the lower voices, especially where sustained notes support the melody; tuning warmth here lifts the entire arrangement.
How to use it
This works equally well as a standalone holiday feature or as part of a broader winter concert that includes secular seasonal works. At just over two minutes, it makes an effective transition piece between contrasting selections or a graceful closer to a concert set. Consider pairing it with other festival or folk-based repertoire to build a cohesive program.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing melody and accompaniment voices across the ensemble
- Sustaining long tones with steady intonation
- Articulation clarity in cut time and brisk tempos
- Phrasing and shaping in folk-based melodic material
- Reading conductor cues and ensemble cutoffs