Turn up the volume this holiday season with a high-octane mashup of "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah" & "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel" in the style of Queen, Led Zeppelin, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and more! Driving rhythms, edgy harmonies, and a full-throttle rock groove power this certified head-banger! With an optional electric guitar, electric bass, and a flexible drum set part, Light It Up by Evan VanDoren is an accessible chart that delivers maximum energy. A guaranteed showstopper for any holiday performance!
Discover MakeMusic Cloud: thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Evan VanDoren is a composer and arranger with a gift for energizing young ensembles with contemporary pop and rock treatments of familiar material. His work across the Developing Band series demonstrates a deep understanding of what engages student musicians while respecting pedagogical progressions.
Why we love this
VanDoren captures the infectious irreverence of arena rock without sacrificing accessibility. The mashup structure gives your ensemble two recognizable melodies to anchor themselves in, while the Queen/Led Zeppelin/TSO aesthetic makes even Grade 2.5 players feel like they're performing something genuinely modern and cool. That's a rare combination at this level.
What to expect
Pure kinetic excitement. The piece channels stadium rock attitude into a Jewish holiday setting, creating something celebratory and defiant at once. Expect driving rhythms that feel propulsive, harmonies with teeth, and the kind of infectious groove that has audiences on their feet.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 2 to 2.5 level looking for a holiday chart that respects their abilities while delivering genuine energy and modern sound. This works equally well for groups seeking something beyond the standard holiday medley and for ensembles that thrive on rock and contemporary repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
Push the rhythmic precision in the rhythm section from day one. The driving groove only lands if your drums and optional electric bass lock together with absolute clarity; this makes the rock attitude believable rather than merely loud.
Balance the melodic statements carefully between sections. Both tunes deserve breathing room, so resist the temptation to let everything play at full volume all the time.
If you're using the optional electric guitar and bass, position them where they anchor the sound without overwhelming the winds. They should feel like they're supporting the groove, not replacing it.
Lean into the 'edgy harmonies' mentioned in the title. Rehearse those dissonant moments deliberately so students hear them as intentional and distinctive, not as mistakes.
How to use it
Reserve this for the second half of a holiday concert where energy and spectacle matter most. It pairs naturally with quieter, more traditional selections earlier in the program, giving you dramatic programming contrast. The piece also works brilliantly in casual performance settings like pep assemblies or community events where a rock treatment feels appropriate rather than out of place.
Skills your students will build
Executing driving, syncopated rhythmic figures at a brisk tempo
Balancing ensemble blend when multiple sections carry melodic material simultaneously
Reading and performing in a contemporary rock/pop idiom with attention to groove and pocket
Coordinating with optional rhythm section instruments (electric guitar, electric bass, drum set)
Shaping harmonic tension through careful dynamic control and phrasing
You May Also Like
Scan to Complete Your Purchase
Use your phone's camera to scan the code below
You'll log in on your phone and the order will be added to your account
