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One Candle: SATB Choral Octavo

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One Candle Cover Image
One Candle: SATB Choral Octavo

One Candle: SATB Choral Octavo

Words by Andy Beck and Brian Fisher, music by Andy Beck

Item: 00-27300
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Description
It's a ready-made candle-lighting ceremony as a soloist sings with a solitary flame, a second voice adds its light, and gradually the whole choir illuminates the stage with their voices and hopes of peace. One Latin phrase, "Dona nobis pacem," provides the foundation for the echoing chorus, and a powerful bridge "grows for all the world to see . . . peace for you and me." Choirs of all ages will sound their very best at the holidays, or any time of year.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, One Candle: SATB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081295602
SKU: 00-27300

More about this title

About the Composer: Andy Beck

Andy Beck

Andy Beck leads the choral publications department at Alfred Music, where he shapes the catalog of vocal resources used in classrooms and rehearsal rooms across North America. His compositional output spans over 450 works for choir, musical theatre, and young singers, alongside pedagogical titles that have become standards in many programs: Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique.

Beyond publication work, Beck maintains an active presence in music education as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. His arrangements and original compositions receive regular performances by singers worldwide, and he has guest conducted honor choirs and all-state ensembles throughout the Southeast. A trained tenor who directs musical theatre and sings with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir, Beck brings both compositional craft and performance experience to his work. He holds degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University.

Why we love this

One Candle stages a powerful visual metaphor without requiring elaborate staging or special effects. The piece unfolds naturally as soloists and choir layers build toward full ensemble sound, making it a rewarding choice for programs that want genuine impact without technical complication. Beck's combination of the timeless Latin text with contemporary bridge material creates both reverence and accessibility.

What to expect

Gentle and meditative at first, the piece gradually builds emotional momentum as individual voices combine into collective sound. The progression from solitude to community feels earned rather than sudden, creating a profound sense of hope and shared purpose. The Latin text anchors the piece in tradition while the contemporary bridge lyrics connect to modern listeners.

Who it's for

Choirs of mixed ages and ability levels will find success with this piece. Directors can scale it from a small chamber arrangement with soloists to a full-choir performance, making it flexible for community groups, school choirs, and church ensembles.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the solo entrance with quiet intensity; the soloist's tone should feel intimate and grounded before the second voice joins. This moment sets the piece's emotional foundation.
  • Allow the 'Dona nobis pacem' echoes to create clear space between entries so listeners hear each new voice as a distinct addition. Precision in cutoffs matters as much as clarity in attacks.
  • Build the bridge section 'grows for all the world to see' with gradual dynamic growth from the middle voices outward. Avoid jumping to full volume too early.
  • Support soprano lines in the final passages without letting them overshadow the harmonic weight of lower voices. The peace imagery works best when all four parts feel equally present.

How to use it

Beyond holiday programming, this works as a moving concert opener or closer for any program exploring themes of peace, unity, or light. The 12-page length and accessible voicing make it suitable for mid-year concerts, spring pops programs, or interfaith community events.

Skills your students will build

  • Layered ensemble listening and awareness of how individual voices blend into composite sound
  • Breath control and phrasing in texts switching between Latin and English
  • Dynamic control and subtle volume changes that avoid sudden shifts
  • Maintaining pitch independence while singing with added harmonic complexity

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