You Are Light: SATB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Mark Burrows
Item: 00-PO-0007167
$2.40
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
"In the light I have found my family, I am safe to sing my song." With a lightly syncopated, contemporary sound, this uplifting original expresses the need for a warm and welcoming community for all. Composer Mark Burrows reminds us that we can help others feel comfort and belonging simply by sharing our inner light. Perform with piano alone or with the addition of an optional djembe. Rich with opportunities for social-emotional learning.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0007167
More about this title
About the Composer: Mark Burrows
Mark Burrows composes music for choirs across all age groups and experience levels, from elementary ensembles to adult festival choirs. His works appear regularly on state and festival lists, and he fields multiple commissions annually from schools, churches, and community organizations. Burrows holds degrees in music education from Southern Methodist University and in conducting from Texas Christian University.
Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Burrows serves as Director of Children's Ministries at FUMC while maintaining an active composing and conducting schedule. His music draws on contemporary idioms and addresses themes of belonging, social-emotional growth, and community building.
Why we love this
Burrows writes choral music that feels genuinely contemporary without sacrificing accessibility or singability. The syncopated rhythms and layered text in this piece create a natural energy that singers embrace immediately, while the message of inclusion and belonging speaks directly to why we gather as choirs in the first place. The optional djembe adds color and percussive sophistication without complicating rehearsal logistics.
What to expect
The piece radiates warmth and hope without saccharine sweetness. Lightly syncopated rhythms give it a gently contemporary pulse, while the harmonic language feels open and inviting. There's an intimacy to the sound, as if singers are sharing something true and personal rather than performing at an audience.
Who it's for
This octavo works beautifully for high school and adult choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with a message that resonates beyond the concert hall. Directors building programs around themes of inclusion, belonging, and social-emotional learning will find singers eager to take on material that speaks to their values.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the syncopated phrases without rushing; let the natural speech rhythm of the text guide your ensemble through slight tempo flexibility rather than mechanical precision.
- Encourage singers to connect personally with the message about finding family and safety through song; this emotional investment will make the sound warmer and more authentic than purely technical execution.
- If using the djembe, introduce it only after your choir has secured the harmonic and rhythmic foundation; it enhances rather than anchors the ensemble.
- Balance the contemporary sound with clarity in voice leading, especially where the syncopation creates close harmonic movement in the inner voices.
How to use it
Position this as a anchor piece in a concert exploring community, identity, or belonging. Its uplifting character pairs well with spirituals, folk-influenced pieces, or other contemporary works addressing social themes. The moderate length and accessible voicing also make it suitable for festival performances or as a final selection that leaves audiences feeling connected rather than emotionally drained.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing syncopated rhythms in a choral context
- Balancing contemporary harmonic language with clear voice leading
- Connecting emotional intent and personal meaning to vocal performance
- Ensemble awareness in pieces where rhythmic independence across voice parts requires precision
- Social-emotional learning through repertoire that addresses themes of belonging and community