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Celebration: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

$27.99 USD
$27.99 USD
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Celebration Cover Image
Celebration: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Celebration: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Words and music by Ronald Bell, Claydes Smith, George Brown, James Taylor, Robert Mickens, Earl Toon, Dennis Thomas, Robert Bell, and Eumir Deodato / arr. Kirby Shaw

Item: 00-CDM02101
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Description

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
UPC: 654979040026
SKU: 00-CDM02101

More about this title

About the Composer: Ronald Bell

Ronald Bell co-founded Kool & The Gang in the late 1960s and became one of the group's primary songwriters and arrangers. His compositions defined the sound of funk and disco during the 1970s and 1980s, blending tight horn arrangements, infectious grooves, and singable melodies that made Kool & The Gang one of the most sampled and covered acts in popular music.

Bell's gift for writing memorable, danceable songs that also work beautifully in vocal arrangements has made his catalog a staple of choral programs. His work demonstrates how popular music can be both commercially successful and genuinely musical.

Why we love this

"Celebration" brings immediate energy and joy to any choral concert. Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the infectious groove of the original while giving singers genuinely singable parts that showcase unison strength and blend in equal measure. The recorded accompaniment is crisp and driving, making this an excellent choice for building confidence in younger or less experienced ensembles.

What to expect

Pure celebration. The melody is instantly recognizable and irresistibly upbeat, riding on a groove that makes sitting still difficult. Shaw's arrangement balances pop accessibility with choral craftsmanship, delivering a piece that feels contemporary without losing musical substance.

Who it's for

This octavo works beautifully for any choir looking to program contemporary pop with genuine musicality and fun. It's particularly strong for intermediate ensembles that have solid rhythmic foundations and enjoy stylistically diverse repertoire. The recorded accompaniment makes it accessible for school, church, and community choirs.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the groove locked and bouncy. This song lives on rhythmic precision and infectious energy; straight execution kills it. Your singers should feel the pocket, not just count.
  • Balance the recorded accompaniment so it supports rather than overwhelms. Your voices should be clearly audible; the track is there to anchor the rhythm and keep the ensemble confident.
  • Mark the dynamic arc carefully. Even in pop arrangements, contrast between sections creates shape. Find the moments to build and the moments to pull back.

How to use it

Program this as a concert centerpiece or encore. It works equally well in spring pops concerts, holiday celebrations, or any program seeking an audience-friendly finale with genuine musical teeth. Pair it with other contemporary pop arrangements or use it as a bridge piece between classical and modern repertoire in a mixed concert.

Skills your students will build

  • Understanding groove and pocket in pop/funk styles
  • Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated passages
  • Blend and balance in contemporary choral writing
  • Interpretation of dynamic contrast in popular music arrangements

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