We Are the Light: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words and music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0007859
$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:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0007859
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music and has composed and arranged more than 450 choral works now in active circulation. His output spans concert pieces, vocal resources, and children's musicals; he is also the author of three widely adopted choral sight-singing and vocal technique resources. His music reaches singers across the globe, as evidenced by countless YouTube performances, and he regularly appears as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician in schools and honor choirs throughout the United States and beyond.
Beyond his work as a composer, Beck maintains active involvement in performance and musical theatre direction. He holds degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, has sung as a studio vocalist for Alfred Music since 1992, and performs as a tenor with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir. His career reflects a sustained commitment to choral artistry, music literacy, and the advancement of music education.
Why we love this
Beck writes with the sound of young choirs in mind, and this piece proves it. The two-part writing never feels reductive; instead, the texture builds intelligently from simple long-tone foundations into a second verse rich enough to hold an alto descant, then climbs to a soaring final refrain. The gospel-inflected bridge with its call-and-response energy on "light" gives singers a moment of genuine fun before the piece arrives at its quiet, powerful solo moment.
What to expect
This piece opens with quiet dignity, built on sustained harmonies that feel grounded and full. As it unfolds, warmth accumulates: altos join, textures deepen, and the music gains buoyancy through the syncopated chorus and the soaring descant. The gospel-touched bridge injects joy and movement, then everything resolves into a moment of stillness when a single voice brings the metaphor home.
Who it's for
Two-part choirs looking for an uplifting secular piece that feels substantial without excessive vocal range demands. Directors seeking repertoire for graduation ceremonies, spring concerts, or festival programming will find the text's message of light and hope appropriate year-round.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the opening long tones establish warmth and resonance in the room. Resist the urge to rush; these sustained notes are your tonal foundation for everything that follows.
- Shape the chorus legato line even though it contains light syncopation. The rhythmic interest should never overshadow the singing quality.
- Bring out the alto perspective in the second verse as a distinct moment. This isn't just reinforcement; it's a new textural layer that demands clarity and confidence.
- The bridge's call-and-response works best when the energy lifts slightly. Each attribute of light (hope, love, peace, grace, truth, joy) deserves its own musical breath.
How to use it
Programme this as an emotional centerpiece rather than a filler. Its arc from introspection to brightness to quiet reflection makes it work well as a concert finale or as a bridge between more technically demanding pieces. Recorded accompaniment availability means it functions equally well in concert, contest, or assembly settings.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long tones with consistent breath support and intonation
- Singing true legato within syncopated rhythm patterns
- Balancing independent voice parts while maintaining blend and unified tone
- Navigating call-and-response with rhythmic precision and textual clarity
- Building dynamic contrast and shaping phrases across a full musical arc