You Are Light: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words and music by Mark Burrows
Item: 00-PO-0007169
$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-0007169
More about this title
About the Composer: Mark Burrows
Mark Burrows holds degrees in music education from Southern Methodist University and conducting from Texas Christian University. His compositions appear on state and festival lists nationwide, and he fields multiple commissions annually from children's choirs, adult ensembles, and intergenerational festival groups. Major publishers carry his work.
Burrows serves as Director of Children's Ministries at FUMC in Fort Worth, Texas, where he lives with his wife Nina and their daughters Emma and Grace. His music draws on his dual expertise as both composer and educator, reflecting deep understanding of what young singers need to grow musically and emotionally.
Why we love this
The syncopated, contemporary language makes this feel current without sacrificing singability for young voices. Burrows has crafted a piece that genuinely earns its social-emotional focus by embedding inclusive messaging into music that feels joyful and accessible rather than preachy.
What to expect
The piece radiates openness and invitation. Contemporary syncopation creates a gentle rhythmic buoyancy that lifts the spirit without demanding technical virtuosity, while the harmonic language feels warm and enveloping, reinforcing the text's promise of finding family and safety in song.
Who it's for
This works beautifully with developing 2-part choirs, including middle school and early high school singers, as well as community and children's choirs seeking repertoire with real emotional substance. Directors will find it equally valuable for singers learning to navigate syncopation while processing themes of belonging and safety.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the syncopation with natural lift rather than rhythmic stiffness; let the contemporary groove breathe and settle into the singers' bodies before locking it down metrically.
- If adding djembe, introduce it gradually in rehearsal so singers don't lose focus on their own lines. Have the percussionist work independently first, then layer it in after voicing is secure.
- Balance the piano accompaniment underneath the choir so the harmonic warmth supports without overshadowing the message in the text.
How to use it
Pair this with other community-centered repertoire in a concert focused on belonging and connection, or use it as the emotional heart of a peace-themed festival program. Its accessible difficulty level makes it ideal for a mid-concert placement where singers have warmed up but the audience still needs engaging, contemporary music.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing syncopated rhythms in a contemporary idiom
- Blending 2-part harmony with secure intonation in a non-traditional pop/contemporary style
- Connecting text-driven performance choices to social-emotional themes
- Interpreting rhythm with stylistic groove rather than metronomic precision