About

Featuring a serene melody that floats over harmonies set up by the other voices, the choir sings of the warmth of being together for the Chanukah holiday. The refrain focuses on the key word “light” and builds a gentle rocking figure in the chorus. 

Chanukah Lights was written in 2005 for SSA choir, for the wonderful A Cappella Choir of the PEARLS Hawthorne Elementary School in Yonkers NY, conducted by Emme Kresek —composed when my daughter was a 5th-grade member of the choir. The Pearls choir, like so many school choruses, was looking for Chanukah repertoire that went beyond the most standard melodies usually sung for the holiday.

In 2022, I composed a new mixed chorus a cappella version for Chicago a cappella, who premiered the mixed version and then featured it on their album Miracle of Miracles — Music for Hanukkah.

Score

Text

The candles are gently glowing,
spreading peace, spreading light.
Our family gathers together,
sharing joy this Chanukah night.
Light, light,
bring joy each night!

-Gerald Cohen

Arrangements

SSA, with optional piano
SSAATTB, a cappella