Hanukkah Tonight!: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

$27.99 USD

Hanukkah Tonight!: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Name: Hanukkah Tonight!: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-38008
Price: 27.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Words by Linda Marcus, music by Vicki Tucker Courtney

Item: 00-38008

$27.99

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Learn a bit about the holiday and have fun singing this lively ditty, designed especially for two-part groups. No-fuss harmonies appear in the festive "lai, lai, lai" section and a long-tone countermelody embellishes the second verse.

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

UPC: 038081424804

SKU: 00-38008

More about this title

About the Composer: Vicki Tucker Courtney

Vicki Tucker Courtney began piano study at age four and developed deep roots in choral music through her time at North Texas State University, where she accompanied ensembles while completing her studies. Her compositional and arranging career now spans multiple genres and mediums, including choral works, piano pieces, handbells, and solo vocal literature.

A regular recipient of ASCAP Plus Awards, Courtney has built an extensive catalog of published works, surpassing 350 titles since her first 100 were published in 2009. She studied compositional craft under the mentorship of Dove Award winner Mark Hayes and continues to compose full time while teaching piano and composition to students of all ages in Columbia, Tennessee.

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Why we love this

Courtney writes two-part choral music that feels genuinely singable rather than simplified, and this piece proves it. The festive "lai, lai, lai" sections give singers accessible moments of rhythmic unison while the long-tone countermelody in the second verse adds textural sophistication without demanding advanced harmonic reading.

What to expect

Bright and celebratory, with a infectious rhythm that propels the piece forward. The repeated "lai, lai, lai" sections create an almost call-and-response energy that feels playful and participatory, while the countermelody adds an unexpected layer of musical depth that rewards careful listening.

Who it's for

Two-part choirs looking for accessible seasonal repertoire that teaches something about Hanukkah while delivering genuine fun. This works especially well with middle school and early high school singers who are building confidence in reading simple harmony and want to experience countermelody writing without the density of four-part scoring.

How to get the most out of it

Emphasize rhythmic clarity in the opening section so the text comes through cleanly before the group settles into the repeated "lai, lai, lai" figures.
Shape the long-tone countermelody as a true melodic line in the second verse rather than background padding; it should balance the main melody, not disappear beneath it.
Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the lively tempo and energy, then pull back slightly on ensemble dynamics during the countermelody section so both parts remain distinct.

How to use it

Place this in a winter concert as a standalone moment of Jewish heritage celebration, or program it back-to-back with other seasonal selections from different traditions. Its upbeat character also makes it an excellent closer to a holiday set, sending the audience out on a bright note.