Beboppin' Santa Claus: SAB Choral Octavo
Beboppin' Santa Claus Sheet Music Preview

Beboppin' Santa Claus: SAB Choral Octavo

Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS00262257
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$2.99
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 7
SKU: 35-DS00262257

More about this title

About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw holds degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. His career has taken him across North America, Europe, and the South Pacific, where he has built a reputation for bringing infectious energy and genuine musicianship to every classroom and rehearsal room he enters. At College of the Siskiyous in California, he founded the COS Vocal Jazz Ensemble, an innovative program that earned national recognition. He has since directed similar ensembles at Colorado State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and currently directs the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University.

With more than 2,500 choral arrangements and compositions in print, Shaw's music has been performed worldwide and has sold nearly 20 million copies. His musical credibility runs deep; he has studied jazz scatting one-on-one with Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Chris Calloway, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks, the latter of whom offered the high compliment: "Man, you don't make mistakes!" Shaw is both a prolific composer and an overseer of hundreds of educational recordings, multiple college and university albums, and his own solo projects. He is also a member of Just 4 Kicks, a four-part a cappella jazz ensemble. His creative contributions have garnered numerous ASCAP awards, and his most recent commission came from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Why we love this

Shaw's gift for rhythm and groove translates instantly into this arrangement; the SAB voicing sits comfortably while maintaining the swinging energy that makes the tune infectious. Holiday concerts need moments that balance choral artistry with pure audience joy, and this delivers both without sacrificing musicianship. The three-part texture opens up casting flexibility for mixed ensembles while keeping the harmonic content smart and accessible.

What to expect

Playful and sophisticated at once, with the kind of easy swing that makes listeners want to smile and snap along. The arrangement radiates holiday spirit through rhythm and good humor rather than saccharine melody, landing somewhere between a jazz club and a concert hall.

Who it's for

High school and community choirs looking for a holiday piece that connects with audiences without feeling corny. The SAB voicing makes it attainable for groups with developing singers, while the jazz sensibility appeals to ensembles that want to showcase versatility beyond traditional carols.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the swing feel early in rehearsals by having the ensemble snap on beats 2 and 4, establishing the groove before adding melodic details.
  • Balance the parts so the altos and baritones aren't buried under the soprano line; these jazzy arrangements thrive when all three voices can be heard clearly.
  • Record a quick run-through and play it back for the group. Hearing themselves helps singers understand how the energy builds and where the peaks of excitement should land.
  • Treat the stylistic articulations (any syncopations or swing rhythms) as non-negotiable. Shaw's arrangements live in the details.

How to use it

Place this in the second half of a holiday concert where audiences are warmed up and ready for something with character and personality. It pairs well with both traditional carols and contemporary holiday fare, and works as a strong closer because it leaves the room energized rather than reflective.

Skills your students will build

  • Swing articulation and jazz rhythmic phrasing
  • Part independence in three-part harmony
  • Rhythmic precision with syncopated rhythms
  • Blend and balance across mixed voicings
  • Stylistic flexibility and ensemble versatility

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