Looking for the Light Sheet Music Preview

Looking for the Light: 2-Part Choral Octavo

(A Song of Winter)

Words by Jerry Colker, music and additional words by Adam Podd and Matt Podd

Item: 00-PO-0005991

Digital Download
$2.20

Minimum order quantity: 20 copies

Description
The shimmering winter-themed text and lilting 6/8 rhythms dance right off the page in this contemporary choral like none other. Accessible yet unexpected harmonies provide warmth, and a full dynamic range takes us on a journey from a single voice to full ensemble singing. The breathtaking add-on section weaves three independent lines into one radiant tapestry of sound and suggests that the light we search for may be found within.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 16
SKU: 00-PO-0005991

More about this title

About the Composer: Matt Podd

Matt Podd

Matt Podd is a New York City-based pianist and composer who has arranged and orchestrated for renowned artists spanning jazz, gospel, pop, and classical traditions. His work has graced stages from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center, and he has collaborated with performers ranging from Barbra Streisand to the Boston Pops. His educational credentials include degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Ithaca College.

Podd frequently collaborates with his twin brother Adam on musical projects, bringing a distinctive sensibility to choral composition and arrangement. Their shared work reflects deep engagement with contemporary styles while maintaining accessibility for performers across skill levels.

Why we love this

The Podds craft a contemporary choral sound that feels natural to singers without sacrificing harmonic sophistication. The 6/8 rhythms and winter imagery create immediate engagement, while the unexpected harmonic choices and full dynamic arc from solo voice to tutti give directors real musical substance to explore in rehearsal.

What to expect

The piece unfolds like frost catching winter light: quiet and shimmering at first, then gradually warming and swelling into something radiant. The lilting 6/8 rhythms carry an almost buoyant quality despite the introspective text, creating a balance between searching and finding that feels both contemporary and timeless.

Who it's for

This octavo suits choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that works for developing singers without compromising artistic depth. The accessible 2-part texture welcomes mixed-age ensembles and intermediate singers while offering harmonic and textural sophistication that keeps mature singers engaged.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the opening section where a single voice emerges from the ensemble; use dynamic contrast to highlight the journey the piece describes.
  • Lean into the lilting 6/8 character without rushing; let the natural swing of the meter breathe.
  • Prepare singers for the add-on section by establishing clear independence in all three vocal lines during sectional rehearsals before blending them.
  • Explore the full dynamic range the composers provide; this piece rewards specific attention to how light and shadow shift throughout.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece for a winter concert or holiday set where you want something modern and unexpected rather than traditional. Its progression from intimate to luminous makes it ideal for opening a second half or standing alone as a reflective moment in a broader concert arc.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and sustaining 6/8 meter with confident rhythmic independence
  • Balancing solo voice entrances while maintaining ensemble cohesion
  • Singing unexpected harmonic progressions with secure intonation
  • Blending three independent vocal lines in the add-on section
  • Shaping dynamic arcs across contrasting textural densities

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