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One Candle: SSA Choral Octavo

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One Candle Cover Image
One Candle: SSA Choral Octavo

One Candle: SSA Choral Octavo

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

Item: 00-27302
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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: SSA 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: 038081295626
SKU: 00-27302

More about this title

About the Composer: Andy Beck

Andy Beck

Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music and has composed and arranged over 450 choral works, vocal resources, and children's musicals that are performed by singers across the globe. His educational materials include the widely adopted choral sight-singing resources Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique. Beck holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Master's degree in Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University.

A tenor himself, Beck actively performs with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir and directs musical theatre. He has served as a guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States and beyond, and has been commissioned to conduct honor choirs and all-state groups across the Southeast. His work as an Alfred Music studio singer since 1992 and his deep investment in music literacy and choral artistry shape every publication he develops for the company.

Why we love this

This piece transforms a familiar liturgical phrase into a theatrical and deeply moving moment. The gradual building from solo to full choir mirrors the physical image of candles spreading their light, creating a natural arc that engages singers emotionally while the simple, memorable melody ensures strong performances across all ability levels.

What to expect

The piece unfolds like a candlelit ritual, beginning in intimate solitude and gradually brightening as more voices join the prayer for peace. The Latin text carries liturgical weight, while the contemporary bridge language brings the message into the present moment, creating a meditative yet hopeful atmosphere.

Who it's for

This SSA octavo works beautifully for middle school, high school, and adult choirs seeking a holiday showcase moment that doesn't require advanced vocal technique. The accessible ranges and simple harmonic language make it ideal for choirs with mixed musical backgrounds who still want to sound polished.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the opening solo with gentle dynamics and clear diction so the "Dona nobis pacem" foundation resonates clearly before the second voice enters.
  • Layer the voices with precision during the candle-lighting sequence; slight staggering of entries helps the piece build organically rather than feel cluttered.
  • Find the emotional peak at the bridge text ("grows for all the world to see") and sustain that intensity through the final chorus without rushing.

How to use it

Open a holiday concert with this piece to set a reflective tone before moving to more celebratory selections. Alternatively, use it as a closing number to leave the audience with a message of peace and unity. The twelve-page format and flexible difficulty make it suitable for any time of year when your program calls for a moment of contemplation.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing Latin texts with clarity and intentional phrasing
  • Blending SSA voicing while maintaining individual line independence
  • Building dynamic control from soft, solo singing to full choral sound
  • Following a conductor's cues during gradual textural layering
  • Connecting text meaning to interpretive choices in performance

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