Kindle the Hanukkah Lights: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Music by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz
Item: 00-PO-0004251
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Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
To kindle means to cause something, such as a candle, to begin burning. This December piece describes what we can do "to make a world where no one fights, as we kindle the Hanukkah lights." An expressive introduction leads into a spirited round. "What would you wish for if you could have one thing? Would it be the joy that peace would bring?"
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0004251
More about this title
About the Composer: Lois Brownsey
Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz form one of the most productive composing partnerships in contemporary choral music. Based in Pennsylvania, Brownsey studied at Temple University and has drawn on decades of experience as a performer, songwriter, and recording professional to shape her compositional voice. She and Lantz have built a catalog spanning multiple Alfred publications, with particular strengths in multicultural and seasonal repertoire that speaks directly to school and community choirs.
Throughout her career, Brownsey has worked across genres from pop and rock to sacred music, and has written commercial jingles for major clients while maintaining a deep commitment to choral composition. With her husband Kent Heckman, she operates Red Rock recording Studios in the Pocono Mountains, where numerous Alfred projects are produced. Her collaborative work with Lantz demonstrates a gift for creating accessible, meaningful music that connects singers and audiences to cultural traditions and seasonal celebrations.
Why we love this
This piece carries real weight despite its accessibility. The expressive introduction immediately signals that this is not a trivial holiday song, and the round structure that follows gives every voice something purposeful to sing while the message about peace and hope lands naturally rather than preachy. You get a piece that works beautifully for mixed-ability choirs while never talking down to singers or audience.
What to expect
The piece opens with quiet intention, almost meditative, before shifting into a warmer, more spirited energy as the round begins. There's genuine warmth in the music, grounded in the specificity of Hanukkah tradition, but the lyrics about kindling light and wishing for peace give it universal resonance that reaches beyond any single community.
Who it's for
Middle school and high school choirs looking for repertoire that honors Hanukkah with both musical substance and accessible voicing. The 2-part texture makes it ideal for developing choirs, combined ensembles, or as a moment in a holiday concert where you want something that feels intentional and culturally grounded rather than novelty-based.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the introduction with careful attention to dynamics and phrasing; this section sets the reflective tone that makes the round's message resonate.
- Keep the round unified by locking in the entry points during rehearsal, using measure numbers and conductor cues rather than relying on singers to hear across parts.
- Balance the two parts so that neither dominates in the round sections; younger or less experienced singers often need reminders to sing at full voice even when they're supporting another line.
- Consider using the recorded accompaniment during early rehearsals to lock in pitches and entrances before moving to a cappella or live accompaniment.
How to use it
Program this alongside other seasonal or interfaith repertoire in a winter concert to create programming that reflects your school or community's diversity. It also works as a standalone opening to a holiday concert, where its message about peace and light can frame everything that follows. The eight-page score with relatively modest difficulty means it can be learned within a standard rehearsal calendar alongside other material.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in 2-part harmony while maintaining individual line integrity
- Entering and sustaining a round with secure pitch and rhythm
- Shaping expressive phrasing through dynamic control and breath placement
- Understanding cultural context and lyrical meaning in sacred choral music