A Wish for Hanukkah (Shalom Alechem): 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

The arrangement respects both the liturgical weight of Hanukkah and the joy of the season by shifting tone midway through. Eastern European and Hebrew melodic influences feel organic rather than grafted on, giving singers real cultural texture to inhabit. The included accompaniment CD with clarinet color lifts the piece above standard holiday fare.

The piece opens with quiet drama, drawing listeners in before the energy shifts into an infectious, lilting rhythm that evokes the folk traditions of Eastern Europe. The clarinet accompaniment sparkles throughout, adding both warmth and brightness to a contemplative message of peace.

Singers in 3-part mixed choirs (or flexible 2-part treble settings) looking for a Hanukkah piece that moves beyond generic December programming. Directors seeking arrangements that acknowledge Jewish heritage with musicality and respect will find a well-crafted octavo that engages both singers and listeners.

• Honor the dramatic opening by allowing the opening section to breathe; resist rushing into the spirited 2-beat feel that follows, as the contrast lands harder with patience.
• The SoundTrax accompaniment gives you flexibility in dynamics and blend. A rehearsal without the CD helps singers lock the melody and inner lines before adding the recorded texture.
• Shape the Hebrew text with intention even if your singers are unfamiliar with the language. Marti Lunn Lantz's setting distributes syllables thoughtfully, so trust the notation rather than forcing English-language phrasing assumptions.

Pair this with other winter repertoire in a December concert to signal genuine multicultural programming rather than a generic "holiday" set. Its arc from reflective to celebratory makes it equally effective as a standalone moment or as the centerpiece of a Hanukkah-focused segment.

• Singing Hebrew text with accurate pronunciation and phrasing
• Shifting between slow, dramatic singing and spirited 2-beat rhythmic motion
• Balancing three independent vocal lines in close harmony
• Responding to recorded accompaniment while maintaining ensemble integrity