Star Above
$10.00 – $50.00
Star Above is a gentle and reflective song. The singer expresses the thought that a brightly shining star can bring hope in a dark night. Just like stars, we can try to shine brightly in the world, reflecting hope and love to those around us.
The original melody of Star Above is partnered with one verse of the American spiritual, Great Big Stars. These two songs complement each other lyrically and melodically. The opening interval of a rising fourth in Great Big Stars (s,- d) completes the octave begun by the rising fifth interval (d – s) in the opening of Star Above.
Star Above is available as a 2-part arrangement for treble voices and also as a 2-part arrangement for mixed voices. The arrangement begins in unison (or with a solo). Great Big Stars can be sung as a solo/unison presentation or harmony can be added. Verse three partners the two songs which are sung together (with a few melodic adaptations) creating the harmony. In the treble arrangement, a lush alto line creates the harmony for the final verse. In the mixed-voice arrangement the final verse is sung with the melody in the low voice and a harmony part added by the treble voice.
Star Above can be sung at any time of the year as a song of hope. With one slight lyric change the song can also be used as Christmas-themed repertoire.
Listen to the Donna & Andy performance track:
Listen to melody + accompaniment:
Download Includes:
- Vocal score
- Lead sheet
- Director/piano score
- Lyrics
- Accompaniment – with melody guide
- Accompaniment – piano
- Donna & Andy band – instrumental track
- Donna & Andy – performance track (2-part mixed)
- Teaching Tips
Share this page using these social links!
Star Above
Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Star Above.
Star Above is one of 12 songs from the song collection "It's Christmas Time". Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs in a variety of styles and skill levels for singers from ages 5-12+.
Learn more about this fun collection for elementary-aged kids, choirs and solo vocal students.
Purchase print copy from Amazon
Stream or Purchase Star Above (It's Christmas Time CD) from many streaming sites including:
Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.
The It's Christmas Time CD (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental) tracks (20) are available for download or physical CD on this website.
Discussion
Use Star Above as a discussion starter.
Discuss the meaning of the lyrics.
Expressive singing
Breath energy will be needed to support the long phrases in Star Above.
Discuss the places in the music where it makes sense to take a breath. Look for commas and ends of sentences and phrases for natural breathing spots. Sometimes a breath will need to be added quickly to ensure the long phrases can be managed.
Use dynamics and sensitive endings and beginnings of phrases to create an expressive performance.
Two-part singing
When singing Star Above as a two-part arrangement, be sure the melody line is the stronger part when harmony is added.
In the partner song section, when the melodies of Star Above and Great Big Stars are sung together, balance both melodies equally.
Extensions
French
Star Above has been adapted into French (Étoile du ciel). Older singers may enjoy learning both the English and the French versions as a language study.
Handbells
Details are provided in the PDF download describing how to achieve a “shimmering star” effect using handbells or metallophones.
Star Above is a reflective and personal song. It is heartfelt and serious with a strong message, although simply stated. When I discovered the American spiritual Great Big Stars in a music text book, I decided to insert it into my original song as a contrasting section. My students sang this two-song combination as a unison piece. One year when I was looking for a Christmas song for my choir to sing, the qualities of peace, hope, love and joy that are referenced in Star Above seemed to be a good fit so we changed “great big stars” to “Christmas star” and it became part of our Christmas repertoire.
We (Donna & Andy) included Star Above in the concert repertoire for our duo. It became a favourite song for us to sing and we recorded it on our Donna & Andy CD: It’s Christmas Time. In arranging the song for our mixed voices we determined that Andy would sing the opening original melody and I would sing the Great Big Stars section. When we started adding harmony, I realized that Great Big Stars would fit as a partner song with my melody with a few minor adjustments. The two songs became even more intertwined.
Star Above had its early beginnings with my school choirs and then it was recorded as a Donna & Andy song. It has continued its journey in the musical world by being included in the Royal Conservatory Voice Series as one of its exam pieces. It has been sung in many exams, music festivals, voice lessons and school concerts since its humble beginnings.
When you have enjoyed singing this song with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!
Please send us your performance video - we might be able to post it on this page!
Star Above concert performance - starts at 6:30
| Voicing | |
|---|---|
| License | Single User License, Vocal Solo / Single User License, Classroom / Studio License, Studio / School License, Treble Choir License, Small Ensemble License, Small Choir License, Large Choir License |
| Context | Choir – Community, Choir – Elementary, Choir – High School, Choir – Middle School, Choir Repertoire, Classroom Songs, Small Group Class, Vocal Solo, Choir – 2-part Mixed, Choir – 2-part Treble, Choir – Unison, RCM Repertoire, Song Collection – It's Christmas Time / C'est Noël |
| Topic | Character Trait Education, Christmas, Community, Holidays, Hope, Love, Motivational / Inspirational, Reflective, Seasonal, Childhood |
| Level | Adult, Age 10 and up, Age 12 and up, Grades 4-6, High School, Middle School |
| Vocal Range | Various |
| Duration | |
| Composer | Donna Rhodenizer, Great Big Stars (traditional) – arranged by Donna Rhodenizer |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.