Aura Lee (arr. Kirby Shaw): SSAA Choral Octavo
Aura Lee (arr. Kirby Shaw) Sheet Music Preview

Aura Lee (arr. Kirby Shaw): SSAA Choral Octavo

Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS01215311
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 2
SKU: 35-DS01215311

More about this title

About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw has spent decades shaping choral music education across North America, Europe, and beyond, bringing his distinctive blend of musicianship and pedagogical insight to classrooms and concert halls in 45 states and numerous countries. His formal training includes degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University, culminating in a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. Beyond the classroom, Shaw has mentored with vocal jazz luminaries including Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks, bringing that stylistic fluency into his teaching and writing.

As a prolific composer and arranger with over 2,500 works in print and nearly 20 million copies sold worldwide, Shaw has founded and directed award-winning vocal jazz ensembles at the College of the Siskiyous, Colorado State University, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. His creative reach extends to musical theater (the original adaptation Scroogical, co-written with his wife Markita), multiple ASCAP awards, and commissions from prestigious organizations including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He currently directs the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University.

Why we love this

Shaw's arrangement strips away the obvious and lands somewhere genuinely satisfying, honoring the tune's timeless character while giving singers something fresh to sink their teeth into. The SSAA voicing sits comfortably across a range of choir sizes and skill levels, and the writing shows the hand of someone who understands both what voices can do and what audiences want to hear.

What to expect

Familiar yet refined, like encountering an old melody through new ears. The arrangement respects the song's gentle, nostalgic quality while the voice writing adds harmonic color and movement that keeps singers engaged throughout.

Who it's for

Treble choirs looking for contest and festival repertoire that works at intermediate and advanced levels alike. Directors who want a well-crafted arrangement of a recognizable tune rather than something obscure will find this a reliable choice that audiences connect with immediately.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the soprano lines so neither overshadows the other; the interplay between them carries much of the arrangement's appeal.
  • Let the altos anchor the harmonic foundation with confidence; they ground the piece even when the sopranos have the melody.
  • Take time with the phrasing to honor the song's inherent lyricism; this isn't a sprint, and the arrangement rewards gentle, sustained musicality.
  • Consider minimal accompaniment or even a cappella passages to showcase the voices' blend and intonation.

How to use it

Pair this with other American or folk-inspired repertoire to build a cohesive concert section, or program it as a palate-cleanser between more demanding contemporary works. Its accessibility and short length (2 pages) make it ideal for festival rotations or as an encore.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in mixed tessituras across soprano parts
  • Blend and balance within SSAA voicing
  • Phrase shaping and lyrical line delivery
  • Reading Shaw's harmonic language and voicing choices

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