A Day In The Life Of A Fool (Manha De Carnaval) (arr. Kirby Shaw): SSA Choral Octavo
A Day In The Life Of A Fool (Manha De Carnaval) (arr. Kirby Shaw) Sheet Music Preview

A Day In The Life Of A Fool (Manha De Carnaval) (arr. Kirby Shaw): SSA Choral Octavo

Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS00435662
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 10
SKU: 35-DS00435662

More about this title

About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw's work has shaped choral music education across six continents, from his early years teaching in Mt. Shasta public schools to his tenure founding and directing celebrated vocal jazz ensembles at College of the Siskiyous, Colorado State University, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. His credentials include degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. Beyond the classroom, Shaw has studied jazz vocabulary directly with giants like Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks; he currently directs the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University and performs with Just 4 Kicks, a four-man a cappella jazz group.

As a prolific composer and arranger with more than 2,500 published works, Shaw's music reaches singers worldwide and has generated nearly 20 million copies in circulation. His output spans hundreds of educational recordings, multiple college and university albums, solo projects, and a commissioned work for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, all earning him numerous ASCAP awards. Shaw's teaching style blends deep musical knowledge with infectious humor, a combination that has influenced educators and students across 45 U.S. states and internationally. He and his wife Markita collaborate on creative projects, including an original musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol titled Scroogical.

Why we love this

Shaw's arrangement breathes contemporary warmth into this Brazilian classic without sacrificing its harmonic sophistication. For SSA choirs, he balances singable lines with genuine jazz vocabulary, creating a piece that sounds more advanced than it plays. The vocal writing sits naturally for developing singers while offering jazz ensemble directors a legitimate vehicle for teaching jazz language and phrasing in a pop or concert setting.

What to expect

Wistful and urbane. The piece settles into a reflective groove, with warm harmonies that suggest late evening rather than celebration. Its sophistication whispers rather than shouts, inviting singers and listeners into an intimate musical moment.

Who it's for

Directors seeking repertoire that introduces SSA singers to jazz ballad singing without overwhelming them. This arrangement works equally well for show choirs, jazz ensembles, pop choirs, or concert groups looking to add a standard with genuine credential to their season.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the groove early in rehearsal by having singers feel the clave rhythm underneath the melody; this locks the piece into its Latin pocket rather than treating it as a standard ballad
  • Shape the phrases with gentle rubato that mirrors conversational speech, especially in the verses, allowing space for the accompaniment's harmonic colors to breathe
  • Balance the SA parts against any featured soloist thoughtfully; the harmonic movement is sophisticated enough to carry interest even when the melody sits elsewhere
  • Encourage singers to connect the lyrical content to their interpretation; the contemplative mood will emerge naturally when the text informs the phrasing choices

How to use it

Pair this as a concert centerpiece for a program exploring vocal jazz standards or Latin music in choral settings. The 10 pages and accessible voicing make it suitable for mixed repertoire concerts where you want to shift the mood toward something cooler and more introspective.

Skills your students will build

  • Jazz articulation and swing phrasing in legit vocal contexts
  • Harmonic listening and blend through chromatically moving parts
  • Lyrical interpretation of Portuguese text (understanding without translation)
  • Accompanying ensemble awareness and rhythmic independence

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