Hanukkah Song (2003)

Tim Rozema (1953–2008) — Hanukkah Song (2003) for organ

Tim Rozema (1953–2008) was a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was active as a composer, keyboardist, and teacher in that area. He composed numerous musical works, most often as gifts for friends and musical colleagues. Rozema excelled in many areas and described his own activities as: “office computer worker in documentation, spreadsheets, and databases, church organist, high school and college-level tutor in math, science, music, other general subjects, recreational composer and mathematics researcher, notary public and signing agent, publisher of weekly journal of creative writing and thought from many sources and original pieces.” He died in 2008, following a three year battle with cancer.

“Hanukkah Song” (2003) was written for Charles Woodward and Temple of Israel, Wilmington, North Carolina. The main theme is built around a refrain in which the note D is repeated and harmonized nine different ways, symbolizing the nine Hanukkah candles.