And There Was Light (Full Orchestra): Choral Instrumental Pak
Item: 35-PK00437866
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Description
This cantata is a celebration of light. Filled with time-honored carols and expressive original songs, this work will dazzle and inspire. The first half of the cantata is dedicated to hopeful prophecies associated with the coming "Light of the World." With the birth of Jesus, the second part moves forward to declare the tidings of great joy and is crowned with an opportunity for the congregation to join in singing, "Joy to the World." Brant Adams and Robert Sterling shine as orchestrators of this truly festive work. Glorious! Songs include: A Festive Call to Christmas; Celebration of Light; Come, Golden Light; Dazzling Joy; Beautiful Name; Dreamer of Stars; Angel Song; Silver and Shadows; Joyous Carols of Christmas. Score and Parts for Full Orchestra (fl 1-2, ob, cl 1-2, bn, hn 1-2, tpt 1-3, tbn, 1-2, tba, timp, perc 1-2, hp, pno, vn 1-2, va, vc, db) available as a Printed Edition and as a digital download. Score and Parts for Consort (fl, cl, tpt 1-2, tbn, perc, kybd str) available as a Printed Edition and as a digital download.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00437866
More about this title
About the Creator: Brant Adams, Robert Sterling
Brant Adams and Robert Sterling have established themselves as skilled orchestrators with a gift for arranging sacred music that balances accessibility with musical sophistication. Their collaborative work on And There Was Light demonstrates their ability to weave together beloved carols and newly composed material into a cohesive, dramatically shaped cantata that serves the needs of church musicians and community ensembles.
Together, Adams and Sterling craft orchestrations that honor the warmth of traditional Christmas repertoire while providing enough instrumental color and independence to keep professional and community orchestras engaged. Their approach respects the voices at the center of the music, never allowing instrumental flourish to overshadow the narrative and lyrical intent of the text.
Why we love this
The structure of this cantata offers something rare: it actually tells a story across two distinct halves, moving from anticipation through fulfillment, which gives your choir and orchestra genuine dramatic shape to work with over the course of a concert. Nine movements provide enough variety to hold audience attention, and the final congregational singing of "Joy to the World" transforms a performance into a shared moment rather than a spectator experience.
What to expect
Expansive and luminous, with orchestration that creates atmosphere without sacrificing clarity. The interweaving of prophecy and fulfillment across the two halves gives the work both reverence and celebration, moving from hushed anticipation to exuberant joy.
Who it's for
Church musicians planning a Christmas cantata, community orchestras seeking substantive seasonal programming, and choirs wanting to anchor a holiday concert with a full theatrical work. This Pak works equally well in churches with robust orchestral resources and in community settings willing to invest rehearsal time in coordination.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the choir and orchestra so that the prophecy texts in the first half land with clarity; the instrumentation supports rather than competes with the narrative arc.
- Bring out the character of each original song individually. "Dreamer of Stars" and "Silver and Shadows" need different orchestral colors and emotional temperatures to sustain listener interest across nine movements.
- Prepare your congregation ahead of time for the final sing-along. A brief rehearsal or printed leaflet ensures everyone can participate with confidence in "Joy to the World."
How to use it
Position this as the centerpiece of an Advent or Christmas concert, using the first half to lead into a season of preparation and the second half to mark the actual celebration. Alternatively, program it as the closing work in a multi-ensemble holiday concert, since the congregational finale naturally invites the audience to stand and join.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with clear enunciation across multiple distinct melodies and musical styles within a single extended work
- Coordinating choral and orchestral ensemble balances across nine movements with varying instrumentation
- Interpreting shifts in dramatic intent from prophetic text to celebratory declaration
- Managing Part 1 and Part 2 as different emotional territories within one cantata