Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words by Linda Marcus, music by Vicki Tucker Courtney
Item: 00-PO-0001526
$1.85
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Four letters from the Hebrew alphabet that appear on the dreidel. Together they form an acronym for the phrase, "A great miracle happened there." Separately, they determine a player's fate in the festive childhood game. Sing and learn about a favorite holiday tradition!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0001526
More about this title
About the Composer: Vicki Tucker Courtney
Vicki Tucker Courtney began piano studies at age four and continued through formal training at North Texas State University, where she also gained significant experience as a choral accompanist. Her publishing output has been prolific: she passed 100 published titles in 2009 and has since expanded to over 350 works spanning choral music, piano, handbells, and solo voice. She received mentorship from Dove Award winner Mark Hayes in 2002 and 2004, and has been recognized multiple times with ASCAP Plus Awards.
Tucker Courtney combines her classical foundation with active work as a composer, arranger, and piano instructor. She has accompanied both traditional and contemporary church services and currently teaches piano and composition to students across all levels while maintaining a full-time writing practice. She resides in Columbia, Tennessee.
Why we love this
This piece transforms a familiar holiday game into meaningful musical learning. By anchoring the dreidel's four letters to their deeper significance as an acronym for a core Chanukah message, Tucker Courtney creates a teaching moment that connects cultural tradition, language, and music in a single performance.
What to expect
Bright and celebratory, with a conversational quality that mirrors the informal joy of childhood holiday play. The melody sits naturally in the voice, inviting singers to deliver the text with clarity and warmth rather than technical virtuosity.
Who it's for
This octavo works well for elementary and middle school choirs, youth choirs, and Jewish heritage music programs looking for accessible, age-appropriate Chanukah repertoire. It also suits intergenerational or community choir settings where singers appreciate direct cultural connection alongside musical learning.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish clear diction on the Hebrew letters, especially if your singers are unfamiliar with them. A few brief rehearsals focused on pronunciation will ensure confident, unified singing of the title.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor tempo and harmonic support, particularly helpful if your choir has limited piano resources or if you want consistent accompaniment across multiple performances.
- Balance the two voice parts so neither dominates; these parts are designed as equal partners, and blend matters more than projection in a 2-part texture.
- Connect the celebratory character of the piece to the joyful context of the dreidel game itself. Let that energy guide your rehearsal and performance rather than treating it as solemn or overly formal.
How to use it
Pair this with other winter holiday selections to create a culturally diverse Chanukah or winter concert segment. Its modest length and accessible 2-part voicing also make it suitable for school assemblies or educational events where you want to feature Jewish holiday traditions alongside explanation of the dreidel's cultural significance.
Skills your students will build
- Clear Hebrew pronunciation and diction
- 2-part blend and voice part independence
- Musical connection between text meaning and melodic character
- Familiarity with Jewish holiday traditions and their musical expression