A Wish for Hanukkah (Shalom Alechem): 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Music by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz
Item: 00-PO-0004129
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Subtitled "Shalom Alechem," A Wish for Hanukkah is a fresh approach to Hanukkah for 2-part treble or 3-part mixed groups. It opens slowly, dramatically, then moves to a spirited 2-beat feel, evoking Eastern European and Hebrew musical traditions. The brilliant SoundTrax CD, featuring two clarinets, will add sparkle to your performances. "Shalom alechem, peace be unto you: a wish for Hanukkah." Indeed, peace is a wish for all December holidays.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0004129
More about this title
About the Composer: Lois Brownsey
Lois Brownsey studied music at Temple University in her native Philadelphia, where she developed skills across guitar, musical theatre, and ensemble performance. Over decades, she performed professionally in pop, rock, and blues contexts across the United States and internationally before transitioning to composition and collaborative songwriting in the 1990s. She has partnered with Marti Lunn Lantz for many years on choral works and song collections, building a catalog rooted in multicultural and seasonal themes for school and community choirs.
Brownsey and Lantz have established themselves as specialists in accessible, culturally grounded music for young singers. Their published works include "Winter's Frost," "Japanese Snow Song," and collections such as Celebrations Around the World and The Wonders of the Earth. Beyond choral composition, Brownsey has written commercial material for major brands and co-written sacred seasonal works with Sally K. Albrecht. She now resides in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, where she remains active in the arts community and co-owns Red Rock Recording Studios with her husband, recording engineer Kent Heckman.
Why we love this
This piece respects Hanukkah traditions while remaining performable by young singers at a realistic level. The architectural shift from slow, dramatic opening to a spirited 2-beat middle section creates genuine musical interest, and the Eastern European and Hebrew musical language feels authentic without being inaccessible. The SoundTrax accompaniment with clarinets elevates the sound considerably, adding color that a piano alone cannot provide.
What to expect
The opening unfolds with a sense of reverence and weight, establishing an introspective mood that feels ceremonial. Then the music pivots into something warmer and more celebratory, with the driving 2-beat pulse and clarinet colors evoking the joy and vitality of Eastern European and Hebrew musical traditions.
Who it's for
Treble and mixed choirs at the middle school through early high school level will find this piece manageable and rewarding. It works equally well for community choruses and congregational music programs seeking authentic yet accessible Hanukkah repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the drama of the slow opening by bringing out dynamics carefully; the contrast with the bright 2-beat section will land harder if the first phrase feels truly reflective.
- Lock the rhythm section with the recorded accompaniment during the spirited section to keep the 2-beat feel crisp and energized.
- Shape the Hebrew text with intentional phrasing rather than strictly syllabic articulation; the words deserve breath and space even within shorter lines.
- Balance the clarinet parts in the recorded track by encouraging singers to listen actively during rehearsal, then pulling back slightly in performance so the choir's voices remain primary.
How to use it
Position this as a centerpiece in a December concert that honors multiple religious and cultural traditions, pairing it with secular winter pieces or other faith-based repertoire. It also fits beautifully in a Hanukkah-specific service or school assembly, where both the musical quality and the message of peace resonate meaningfully.
Skills your students will build
- Singing Hebrew text with authentic pronunciation and phrasing
- Navigating moderate key changes and modal harmonic language
- Balancing ensemble sound with recorded accompaniment
- Responding to dramatic tempo and style shifts within a single piece
- Interpreting cultural and spiritual context through musical expression