Candlelight: SAB Choral Octavo
Music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0007960
$1.65
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
"Candlelight in the night, shining on the past, . . . make tradition last." No matter which December holiday you celebrate, everyone can appreciate the inspirational symbol of candlelight. Unify your choir members with this beautiful ballad that honors varied holiday traditions with uncomplicated contemporary choral writing. Musical quotes from "This Little Light of Mine" provide recognizable moments, and the optional SoundTrax CD adds a gentle pop touch.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007960
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck leads Alfred Music's choral publications division and has established himself as one of today's most performed composers, with over 450 works spanning choral arrangements, vocal resources, and children's musicals. His teaching materials including Sing at First Sight and Vocalize! have become staples in music classrooms nationwide, reflecting his deep commitment to building both musicianship and literacy.
Beyond the page, Beck's contributions extend across the country as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for state honor choirs and all-state ensembles. His background in music education, earned through degrees from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, combined with his ongoing work as a tenor performer and musical theatre director, grounds his compositions in the practical realities of what singers need and audiences want to hear.
Why we love this
Beck's gift for accessibility without sacrificing warmth shines here. The SAB voicing sits naturally for mixed ensembles at the developing level, the contemporary harmonic language feels current rather than dated, and the integration of "This Little Light of Mine" provides those signature recognizable moments that audiences lean into without feeling heavy-handed.
What to expect
Gentle and reflective, with moments of quiet joy. The contemporary harmonic language creates space rather than density, allowing the message about tradition and light to resonate without sentimentality. There's an undercurrent of warmth throughout, the kind that invites both singers and listeners to pause and consider what they're honoring.
Who it's for
SAB choirs looking for a winter selection that respects musical integrity while remaining accessible; groups with limited rehearsal time who want strong audience impact without extensive preparation demands; directors seeking repertoire that acknowledges multiple holiday traditions rather than defaulting to a single religious perspective.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody between sopranos and altos in sections where both voices carry the primary line; the SAB voicing can blur if top voices aren't carefully weighted during rehearsals.
- Shape the phrase "make tradition last" with a slight ritardando into the final cadence to underscore the lyrical message without dragging the tempo.
- Let the optional pop accompaniment guide your tempo and feel during the verses; if using it, reserve full ensemble power for the refrain rather than maintaining the same dynamic throughout.
- Attend to vowel unification on open vowels like the "ah" in "candlelight," as SAB requires slightly more precision to prevent the middle voice from thinning the blend.
How to use it
Position this as a transitional moment in a longer winter concert, perhaps between more energetic selections or before a contrasting piece. Its reflective quality works particularly well as a centerpiece for a concert emphasizing inclusion and shared values across different families and beliefs. Consider pairing it with other contemporary sacred or seasonal works rather than traditional holiday standards.
Skills your students will build
- Blend and balance in three-part mixed voicing
- Phrasing in contemporary harmonic contexts
- Recognition and stylistic interpretation of musical quotations
- Dynamic control in ballad-style singing
- Ensemble communication without constant conductor direction