Herb Frombach brings decades of classroom experience to his work as a composer and lyricist. A Pennsylvania native, he earned his degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and spent his career teaching high school music and directing church choirs. His output is substantial: over 200 published manuscripts that reflect both his pedagogical understanding and his gift for accessible, engaging writing.
In retirement, Frombach remains active in music, working part-time as a piano technician. This hands-on connection to instruments keeps him grounded in the practical realities of performance, a sensibility evident in how he writes for student ensembles.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the joy and playfulness of the dreidel game without oversimplifying the material. The 2-part texture gives your singers room to find independence without the complexity of three or four parts, making it ideal for developing choirs who need genuine musical challenge but not overwhelming density.
What to expect
The dreidel spins, energy crackles, and singers move with rhythmic vitality. The melody has an almost folk-like directness that makes it memorable, while the harmonic foundation gives the piece musical weight and keeps it from feeling lightweight despite its celebratory subject.
Who it's for
This octavo works well for middle school and early high school choirs looking for secular holiday material that feels substantial but not demanding. It also suits community choirs and church ensembles seeking authentic Chanukah music that celebrates the season without requiring an advanced sight reader.
How to get the most out of it
Encourage the singers to lean into the rhythmic energy. This piece thrives when the rhythm section locks in with precision, giving the melody room to breathe and bounce.
Balance between parts matters more than volume. In 2-part writing, unison moments will feel sparse if one section overwhelms the other, so rehearse with attention to blend.
Connect the text to the game itself. When singers understand the dreidel's spin and the playful stakes, their delivery becomes more animated and natural.
Use the recording to establish the harmonic foundation if your singers struggle with intervals. Hearing the parts in context helps them internalize the relationships.
How to use it
Pair this with other holiday selections in a winter concert, or use it as a standalone feature in a Chanukah celebration. Its accessible 2-part texture makes it flexible for mixed ensembles or as a moment where upper and lower voices tackle different material, building confidence for singers still developing harmonic independence.
Skills your students will build
Singing in two independent parts with harmonic awareness
Rhythmic precision in folk-influenced melodies
Blending and balance between sections
Connecting text and character to musical expression
Sight-reading and learning new secular holiday repertoire
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