A Doo-Wop Christmas (With You): SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Words and music by Kirby Shaw
Item: 00-PO-0001673
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This clever a cappella original is reminiscent of doo-wop groups from the '50s and '60s. The choir sings a "bop-bop-bop" refrain alternately with classic back-ups, as a soloist or small group croons the flirtatious text, weaving in popular song titles from back in the day.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0001673
More about this title
About the Composer: Kirby Shaw
Kirby Shaw brings decades of experience in choral music education to his prolific composing and arranging work. With degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, he has taught and conducted across North America, Europe, and beyond. His career includes founding the acclaimed COS Vocal Jazz Ensemble at College of the Siskiyous and directing similar programs at Colorado State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Shaw's catalog includes over 2,500 choral arrangements and compositions, with nearly 20 million copies in circulation worldwide. His versatility extends to vocal jazz (he's scatted with Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks) and large-scale projects, including a recent commission for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Beyond music, Shaw has co-written an original musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol with his wife, Markita. He directs the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University.
Why we love this
Shaw writes with genuine warmth and theatrical flair, and this piece captures both. The doo-wop framework feels fresh even in a crowded holiday repertoire, and the interplay between the rhythmic background vocals and the featured soloists creates natural energy that audiences genuinely enjoy. Directors appreciate arrangements that rehearse well and land reliably in concert, and this one does both.
What to expect
Nostalgic warmth wrapped in contemporary wit. The doo-wop groove evokes vintage diner crooning, but Shaw's writing feels playful and knowing rather than kitschy. Your choir will find themselves smiling through the piece, especially once the rhythmic patterns click and the soloist's charm lands.
Who it's for
Choirs looking for a secular Christmas piece that entertains both singers and audiences without sacrificing musicality. Works equally well in concert settings or holiday revue contexts where novelty and sophistication can coexist. Strong for intermediate to advanced SATB groups with at least one confident soloist.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythmic precision of the doo-wop refrain early in rehearsals. These syllables anchor everything; once they're secure, the featured text sits cleanly on top.
- Shape the soloist's phrasing with intentional rubato. The flirtation in the lyric deserves breathing room, especially against the steady background.
- Balance matters as much as blend here. The backing vocals should sit just behind the featured line, creating depth rather than competing for attention.
- Bring out the classic song title references with slight emphasis. Knowing listeners will catch these moments, and it adds an extra layer of charm to the performance.
How to use it
Slot this into a holiday concert as a moment of levity between more traditional sacred pieces, or build an entire set around mid-century popular music. The 8-page length keeps it manageable alongside heavier selections. It's also ideal for variety shows or end-of-year celebrations where you want something that showcases personality and humor.
Skills your students will build
- Precision in rhythmic syllables and nonsense text articulation
- Layered listening and balance awareness in ensemble singing
- Following and responding to a featured soloist while maintaining independent vocal lines
- Stylistic interpretation of swing and doo-wop idioms