We Are the Light: SATB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0007857
$2.70
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
"In the dark of night, we are the light"---an inspiring concert theme for any time of year. Rich long-tone sonorities lay the foundation for what becomes a brilliantly textured second verse when the altos add their unique perspective. Encourage a warm forte and true legato on the fully harmonized, lightly syncopated chorus. A soaring descant achieves new heights on the final refrain. Just before the closing cadence, a single voice makes the metaphoric message shine. Notice a hint of gospel at the uplifting call-and-response bridge, which declares "light" to be "hope . . . love . . . peace . . . grace . . . truth . . . and joy."
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
20
SKU:
00-PO-0007857
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck directs the choral publications program at Alfred Music, where he has shaped the catalog into a resource trusted by thousands of music educators. As a composer and arranger, he has created over 450 choral works, vocal resources, and children's musicals that appear in ensembles worldwide; his music regularly surfaces on YouTube performances across all age levels and skill ranges.
Beyond the page, Beck is active as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for school and all-state honor choirs, particularly throughout the Southeast. He holds degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, sings tenor in the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir, and has been a studio vocalist for Alfred Music since 1992. His published pedagogical resources—including Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique—reflect his commitment to choral artistry and music literacy.
Why we love this
Beck has crafted an anthem that works equally well as a concert centerpiece or festival selection without feeling generic. The layering of textures (long tones grounding the verse, alto counterpoint adding depth, a soaring descant on the final refrain, and a solo moment before the close) gives your singers real musical material to shape, not just an inspirational message to deliver.
What to expect
The piece unfolds like a conversation that grows warmer and more complex as it develops. It begins with a gentle affirmation built on rich harmony, gains energy and texture as altos weave their voice through the ensemble, and climaxes with soaring descant work that feels genuinely triumphant. The bridge offers a lighter, more rhythmic moment before the music gathers itself for a meaningful final statement.
Who it's for
This piece works beautifully for high school and college choirs seeking uplifting repertoire for spring concerts or graduation events. It also has strong potential for festival and contest settings where the combination of accessibility and musical substance appeals to adjudicators.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening verse with sustained, warm sonorities in all four parts; think of it as the bed upon which the alto line will eventually rest. Balance long tones so sopranos and tenors don't overshadow the foundation.
- Secure the rhythm of the syncopated chorus first without worrying about dynamics, then layer in the requested warm forte and true legato once the ensemble feels confident. The syncopation should feel natural, not choppy.
- Let the gospel-inflected call-and-response bridge breathe; the declarations of 'light' becoming 'hope, love, peace, grace, truth, and joy' land harder when each phrase has space to resonate before the next begins.
- Handle the solo moment just before the cadence with care. Depending on your ensemble's comfort level, this might be a featured singer, a small group, or a unison statement; whichever you choose, make sure the transition in and out feels intentional, not accidental.
How to use it
Program this as a thematic anchor for a concert built around resilience, hope, or light. It sits comfortably alongside both serious classical work and contemporary secular pieces, making it ideal for mixed programming. For graduation ceremonies, the text and arc make it a natural choice for the final selection or a thoughtful opening that sets the emotional tone.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long tones with consistent tone quality and breath control
- Blending while singing counterpoint (alto line over sustained harmony)
- Managing rhythmic syncopation in a harmonic context
- Navigating part independence in a full SATB texture
- Interpreting gospel-influenced call-and-response phrasing
- Supporting a solo vocal moment within ensemble context