Is finster drausst — SATB Choir Sheet Music
The traditional Austrian Advent carol, arranged for SATB choir by Paul Lorenz — professionally engraved, instantly downloadable
When the first Advent candle is lit and the rehearsal room grows quiet, every choir director in Austria and Bavaria knows: it is time for Is finster drausst. This spare, luminous folk carol — its title the Bavarian dialect for “It’s dark outside” — captures the stillness of an Advent evening with an economy of notes that few composed works can match. For generations it has opened choir programs, filled alpine churches, and carried audiences from the noise of December into something genuinely quiet and sacred.
This professionally engraved SATB choir edition by Paul Lorenz gives you the performance-ready score your choir deserves. If you have ever attempted to rehearse from a blurry photocopy or a poorly typeset free download, you know the cost in rehearsal time and musical focus. This edition — with clean staff lines, generous dynamics, and measure numbers at every system — removes every technical obstacle between your choir and the music. Instant PDF download, all voice parts included. Ready for your Advent concert the moment you purchase.
Choose your “Is finster drausst” edition
Choir SATB
€5.90The complete edition for your Advent program. SATB conductor score with individually extracted voice parts — all four voices ready to print and distribute to your singers.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed for performance
Quality in detail
- Professional Engraving: MOLA-standard staff sizes and spacing — fully legible on the choir stand under any lighting conditions.
- All Voice Parts Included: Conductor score plus individual Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass parts — ready to distribute immediately.
- Instant PDF Delivery: Purchase and print within minutes — no shipping delays, no waiting. Available 24⁄7.
- Performance Rights Included: Legally licensed for public concerts, church services, and Advent events — no additional reporting required.
- Austrian Tradition, Professional Craft: Arranged by Paul Lorenz — 30 years of professional music experience, Vienna State Opera, London Symphony Orchestra.
- Bespoke Adaptation: Need a different key or voicing for your ensemble? Contact Paul Lorenz Music — custom arrangements available on request.
Is finster drausst sheet music at a glance
| Song | Is finster drausst — traditional Austrian Advent carol; the title is Bavarian dialect for “It’s dark outside”; public-domain folk melody |
| Arrangement | SATB choir (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — 30 years of professional experience, Vienna State Opera, London Symphony Orchestra |
| Scoring | Conductor score plus individually extracted Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass parts |
| Difficulty | Grade 2–3 — competent amateur SATB choirs and above |
| Format | High-resolution PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready |
| Licensing | Public-domain folk carol — no composer royalties; arrangement licensed for unlimited public performance, no additional PRO reporting |
| Price | €5.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
A spare, luminous carol that carries an audience from the noise of December into genuine stillness — ideal to open or centre an Advent program. This edition is written for:
- Parish and church choirs preparing an Advent or Christmas service
- Community and amateur ensembles with solid four-part singing experience
- School choirs ready to programme an authentic Austrian folk carol
- Directors who need a clean, legible score in place of a blurry scan
Need a transposition or a different voicing? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The full SATB conductor score
- Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass parts, individually extracted
- High-resolution PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming Is finster drausst
Set it early in an Advent program, where its quiet economy of notes can settle a room before richer, fuller works arrive. The carol rewards restraint: keep the tempo unhurried, let the dynamics breathe, and trust the silence between phrases to do much of the work. In an alpine church or a candlelit concert hall it lands with particular grace, and an experienced choir can bring it to performance in a single rehearsal. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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Is finster drausst sheet music — frequently asked questions
What exactly is included in the download?
You receive the complete SATB conductor score plus individually extracted parts for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass — all as high-resolution PDFs optimized for screen reading and professional printing. Public performance rights are included with your purchase.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
Grade 2–3: suitable for competent amateur SATB choirs and above. Appropriate for parish choirs, community ensembles, and school choirs with solid four-part singing experience. An experienced choir can sight-read through the piece in a single rehearsal.
Do I need a performance license?
“Is finster drausst” is a traditional folk carol — no composer royalties apply. This arrangement is licensed for unlimited public performances with your purchase, including concerts, church services, and Advent events. No additional ASCAP, BMI, or PRS reporting is required for the arrangement itself.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization — a capability unique in the industry. Whether you need a key change, an alternative voicing, or adjustments for a specific ensemble size, we can tailor this arrangement to your requirements. Contact us directly to discuss.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the digital nature of our products, we cannot offer refunds once the download has been accessed. We encourage you to review the score preview and contact us with any questions before purchasing.