Lisa Loeb Shares Choral Performance Tips on Her Hanukkah Song "Light"

Hey, everyone! Lisa here. I've been thrilled to see Light come alive through your performances around the world. The digital age truly connects us in amazing ways, and it’s been such a joy to witness choirs everywhere bringing their own unique interpretations to the song. Your creativity and passion truly brighten my day!

The Story Behind Light

Light holds a special place in my heart. It was inspired by a moment of reflection during Hanukkah, when the warmth of family and tradition fills the air. The song captures the themes of hope and resilience, which feel especially meaningful during the festival of lights. For me, it’s about finding light within ourselves and sharing it with others, even in the darkest times. I wanted that sense of warmth and community to shine through in every note. This song reflects the heart of not just Hanukkah, but the entire holiday season—celebrating the enduring power of hope and light in the darkness.

I’ve continued to find connections with the essence of the holidays in my own Jewish tradition. When I look to Hanukkah, the symbol that speaks loudest to me is the light: the flames on the candles that we light for each of the eight nights of the holiday. In the Hanukkah story, there was only enough oil left for one light, but the light lasted eight nights, and to me, the oil and the light represent hope.

"When you think it's almost gone, there is still hope."

It’s a song and a message that crosses religions and cultures to something deeper that gives us strength individually and as a community. We can embrace the light and hope within ourselves and share it with others.

Enhancing Your Performance

Here are a few ideas to make your rendition of Light shine even brighter:

• Bring out the melody . Andy Beck’s arrangement adds a secondary counterline above the melody to create beautiful choral harmony. As you blend your singers, be sure the melody comes through as the most important line. Newly revised digital octavos clearly indicate mel. throughout.
• Perform with a glockenspiel. Alfred Music offers a free downloadable part that a student can easily play.
• Incorporate Movement: Add gentle sways or synchronized gestures to enhance the visual impact.
• Utilize Lighting Effects : Use lighting to enhance the mood and highlight key moments in the song. Soft, warm hues can evoke the glow of candlelight, while subtle changes in intensity can mirror the emotional journey of the lyrics. Handheld flashlights are a lovely touch.
• Embrace the Dynamics: Play with the dynamics to bring out the contrast between hopefulness and reflection in the lyrics. Let the soft passages draw listeners in while the crescendos uplift their spirits.
• Engage with the Audience: Connect with your audience through eye contact and genuine emotion. Invite them into the story of Light , allowing them to experience its message firsthand.

Listening to the Original Recording

To truly capture the essence of Light , I encourage you to listen to the original recording . When we recorded this song, we wanted to have a folky feeling, a song that could be sung by all, so it shouldn’t feel stuffy or too poised, but instead, it should sound and feel easy to sing. When I recorded the vocals and guitar, Renee Stahl, who sings the harmonies, and I felt like we were singing a song that had been around forever- the song you know from camp or school or the not-so-religious song the song leader would play on guitar and everyone would sing. It’s a very homegrown feeling song—we even “drummed” on an acoustic guitar case instead of a proper drum kit to get that intimate feel. It was a magical experience bringing this song to life, and I hope you can feel that magic too.

Closing Thoughts

I hope this blog post inspires you to explore Light in your own musical journey. As you prepare to perform or listen to this song, remember that music has the power to illuminate our hearts and souls. Your passion for music and community is what makes this journey so incredible. Keep shining brightly, and may your performances continue to inspire and uplift everyone around you.

Sending you all warmth and music,

Lisa