A Candle For Peace

The first time through this sweet and simple tune, we suggest that you use soloists for each phrase, adding more as you go. On the recording, we used one soloist for the first phrase, two for the second, three for the third, and four for the fourth. You can do a variation of this by having two or more do the first phrase, and adding singers to each phrase afterwards as you like. Or you could have just one soloist sing it through the first time. Or everyone. On the repeat, the tune should break into a round as indicated by the addition of part 2 on the music, though this is optional. It could also simply be sung in unison.

Obviously, you will want your students (all or some) to be holding candles during the song. We recommend the use of artificial candles as real ones present a dangerous fire hazard. (If you are interested, we offer some through our Music K-8 Marketplace catalog or online at MusicK8.com) Ideally, the candles would not be lit until the end of the song at measure 35. One student would begin and pass the "flame" to the next student and so on until all candles were lit. Alternatively, you could have some students light their candles periodically throughout the piece at predetermined points. All candles should be lit by the end, in any case.

The recording for this song is just exquisite, thanks to our string soloists: Mike Strauss on viola, Phil Palermo on violin, and Dennis McCafferty on cello. The use of just piano for this tune is possible, but frankly, not nearly as nice. Another approach to the tune would be to do it a cappella. Then you can do as many times through as you like, adding new groups every two bars if you want - three groups, four groups, etc. Or, set up a simple bordun on C minor using keyboard instruments as an accompaniment. Maybe add a repeating light percussion pattern as well with hand drums. Even if you don't use the CD, at least play it once for your students so they can hear what excellent string players sound like.