Caribbean Getaway: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00035143
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Description
Feeling the call of sun and sand? This Latin dance party original will take you there! Hot horns and salsa rhythm add the finishing touch. Performance Time: Approx. 2:25.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00035143
More about this title
About the Artist: Kirby Shaw
Kirby Shaw's influence spans music education across North America, Europe, and beyond. He holds degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. His teaching philosophy blends rigorous musicianship with infectious enthusiasm, a combination that has shaped vocal programs at College of the Siskiyous, Colorado State University, University of Missouri at Kansas City, and Southern Oregon University, where he now directs the Jefferson State Choral Coalition.
As a prolific composer and arranger with more than 2500 works in print, Shaw has created arrangements performed globally and recorded by major ensembles including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. His credentials include direct mentorship from vocal jazz luminaries like Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks. Beyond his arrangement catalog, Shaw co-created the original musical Scroogical with his wife Markita, and performs as a member of Just 4 Kicks, a jazz-focused a cappella quartet. His work has earned multiple ASCAP recognition awards.
Why we love this
Shaw's gift for energizing choral writing shows up here in full force: the arrangement balances accessible ensemble singing with real musical sophistication. The salsa rhythms and hot horn writing create a performance that audiences genuinely enjoy, while the stripped-down digital pak format makes rehearsal prep straightforward. At just over two minutes, it's the perfect opener to reset a concert's energy.
What to expect
Pure sunshine and movement. The piece invites dancers and listeners into a warm, celebratory space where Latin rhythms and pop sensibility collide without pretense. Horns punctuate the groove like a real club band, while the choir rides that wave with joy.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking a short, high-energy closer or concert opener that requires minimal instrumental forces. This works equally well for show choirs, jazz-inflected ensembles, or traditional choral groups looking to branch into contemporary pop territory.
How to get the most out of it
- Invest time locking the rhythm section with your soloists and small group singers. The salsa pocket only works if everyone feels the same beat.
- Push the horn players to match the brightness and attack of actual Latin ensemble recordings. This isn't background color; it's the spine of the arrangement.
- Lighten the choir's articulation to sit cleanly within the groove rather than on top of it. Let the percussion and horns drive forward.
- Embrace the recorded accompaniment as your rehearsal partner early on. Use it to teach phrasing and rhythmic placement before the band comes in.
How to use it
Place this early in your concert to set a joyful, participatory tone. It pairs beautifully alongside other pop or contemporary work and requires no interval for costume change or staging reset. The compact length makes it ideal for festivals or multi-group performance contexts where time slots are tight.
Skills your students will build
- Singing against a strong groove (groove-based rhythm literacy)
- Latin percussion and rhythmic patterns (clave, tumbao, basic samba feel)
- Ensemble balance with mixed voices and instrumental sections
- Improvisation and freedom in phrasing over fixed harmonic foundations
- Call-and-response singing and small-group blend within a larger texture