Eighth Candle - A Prayer and Dance for Hannukah

For our afternoon musical selection, we are turning again to the United States Army Field Band, performing The Eighth Candle - A Prayer and Dance for Hannukah, arranged for concert band by Steve Resiteter.
The Eighth Candle remembers the story of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. It begins with an extended hymn-like section followed by an exciting dance of celebration. The feast commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greek tyrant Antiochus over 2,180 years ago. Legend has it that after the battles were won there was only enough oil for the ceremonial lights to last for one day, yet by some miracle the oil lasted for eight days. Hanukkah is celebrated by the family in the home rather than in the synagogue. In modern times candles are lit, one for each day of the holiday, prayers are recited, then the feast and merrymaking begin.