Light: SSA Choral Octavo
From Next to Normal
Lyrics by Brian Yorkey, music by Tom Kitt / arr. Lisa DeSpain
Item: 00-PO-0005701
$2.10
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This moving ballad from the groundbreaking musical Next to Normal is perfect as that show-stopping moment in any concert. Strong lyrics and soaring vocals make this a real powerhouse!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0005701
More about this title
About the Composer: Tom Kitt
Tom Kitt is a composer and lyricist whose work spans musical theater, film, and concert music. He won the Tony Award for Best Original Score for Next to Normal (2009), a landmark musical that brought contemporary rock sensibilities and emotional depth to Broadway. His compositions blend accessible melodic writing with sophisticated harmonic language, making his work equally at home in theater and educational settings.
Why we love this
Light captures the emotional core of Next to Normal with a lyrical simplicity that resonates immediately with student singers. Lisa DeSpain's SSA arrangement preserves the song's soaring quality while keeping the vocal writing singable for developing voices, giving choirs access to contemporary Broadway material that feels genuinely modern rather than pastiche.
What to expect
Light is introspective and searching, moving with a restrained intensity that builds toward moments of release. The writing honors the vulnerability of the original while inviting a choir to inhabit the emotional landscape with their own voices.
Who it's for
This octavo works for advanced middle school choirs and high school groups seeking contemporary choral literature with emotional substance. Singers who connect with modern musical theater will recognize the material and bring genuine engagement to rehearsal and performance.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the phrases through the text rather than musical punctuation alone; the lyrics carry the emotional arc, so let them guide your phrasing decisions.
- Manage dynamic control carefully across the sustained passages. Build gradually into the climactic moments rather than jumping to full volume.
- Balance the harmony voices so the melody remains clearly audible; SSA writing relies on tight blend without sacrificing the central vocal line.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the song's contemporary groove and to lock the ensemble into the intended tempo and feel from the start.
How to use it
Position this as a concert centerpiece or as part of a set exploring contemporary musical theater. Its emotional weight and modern sensibility offer compelling contrast to traditional choral fare and demonstrate your ensemble's range to audiences.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining vocal tone through long, lyrical phrases
- Balancing harmony voices while maintaining melodic clarity in SSA texture
- Interpreting contemporary musical theater style with authenticity
- Responding to text inflection and emotional subtext in performance