Hanukkah Hayom!: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Traditional Hanukkah Song / arr., with English words, by Michael Larkin
Item: 00-PO-0006037
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
An authentic celebration of the holiday. This arrangement of the traditional Hanukkah song allows you to choose between the original Hebrew text and a poetic text in English. Lyrical verses focus on lighting the candles, and the dance-like refrain grows even more joyful when embellished with a soaring upper harmony near the end.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006037
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Larkin
Michael Larkin brings three decades of leadership in vocal and choral music to his work as both educator and composer. His tenure as chair of the Vocal/Choral Department at the Music School of Delaware established him as a mentor to countless singers and conductors, and his voice studio produced accomplished musicians across multiple genres.
Why we love this
Larkin's arrangement honors the song's traditional roots while giving singers agency in how they present it, whether through the original Hebrew or an English text that captures the same spirit. The architecture of the piece rewards your singers' growth across its span: simple opening verses build naturally into a refrain that gains momentum and joy, culminating in an upper harmony that transforms the familiar tune into something that feels fresh and soaring.
What to expect
The piece carries warmth and accessibility without sacrificing musicality. Verses invite introspection as singers contemplate the tradition of lighting candles, while the refrain releases into something joyful and celebratory, buoyed especially when the upper harmony joins to lift the whole arrangement skyward.
Who it's for
Choirs spanning treble and lower voices that want a genuine Jewish heritage piece that doesn't require soloists or complex arranging challenges. This works equally well for school choirs, community groups, and religious music programs seeking authentic seasonal repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Choose your text language strategically during rehearsal based on your singers' comfort and your program's overall context. Both versions sit equally well vocally, so the choice can reflect your community's needs or your concert theme.
- Shape the verses with restraint to let the refrain shine by contrast. The dance-like quality of the recurring section depends on the quieter energy you establish in the lyrical passages.
- Introduce the upper harmony gradually in rehearsal, layering it only once singers anchor the main melody. This creates a genuine moment of transformation when both parts lock together.
How to use it
Schedule this near the end of a holiday concert to give your program a celebratory close, or pair it with other festival music to create a themed set. The 12-page format and 2-part scoring make it feasible for mid-year programming when rehearsal time is limited.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and interpreting text in both Hebrew and English
- Balancing unison and two-part textures
- Managing dynamic contrast between verse and refrain
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing in the opening sections
- Blending added harmony while maintaining strong melodic line