Kirby Shaw brings decades of choral leadership to his work as composer and arranger. A San Jose State University graduate with advanced degrees in Choral Composition and Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, Shaw has conducted and taught across North America, Europe, and beyond, building a reputation for infectious energy and deep musical knowledge. He founded and directed acclaimed vocal jazz ensembles at three universities and has mentored alongside legendary jazz vocalists including Bobby McFerrin and Al Jarreau.
Shaw's prolific output speaks for itself: over 2,500 choral arrangements and compositions in print, nearly 20 million copies sold worldwide, and numerous ASCAP awards. His work appears in concert halls, churches, and classrooms globally. Beyond his choral catalog, Shaw performs with Just 4 Kicks, a four-part a cappella jazz ensemble, and recently co-created Scroogical, an original musical adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol with his wife Markita.
Why we love this
Shaw captures the soul of this Motown classic while writing for singers at every vocal level. The arrangement sits comfortably for SATB without sacrificing the energy and soul that made the original unforgettable, making it equally effective in a mixed concert or holiday show.
What to expect
Warm, yearning, and undeniably groovy. The arrangement channels the original's Motown DNA while adding modern choral textures, creating a performance that feels both intimate and celebratory. Singers and audiences alike will feel the genuine longing wrapped in holiday joy.
Who it's for
Holiday concerts and secular Christmas programs looking for a soul-filled alternative to traditional carols. This works for intermediate to advanced choirs seeking accessible material with genuine emotional depth and contemporary appeal.
How to get the most out of it
Emphasize rhythmic precision in the backup vocal figures; they're what drive the groove forward. Listen to recordings to lock the syncopated patterns before focusing on solo passages.
Balance the lead melody so it cuts through without the supporting voices retreating. This isn't a background track; each line deserves presence.
Treat the final climactic sections with building intensity rather than sudden volume shifts. The arrangement earns its power through cumulative momentum.
How to use it
Place this near the close of a holiday program to shift the mood from traditional festiveness into something more contemporary and emotionally resonant. It pairs well with jazz-influenced arrangements and secular holiday standards, offering a bridge between classical carol traditions and modern seasonal music.
Skills your students will build
Syncopated rhythm reading and ensemble locks
Balancing solo and ensemble textures
Soul and R&B phrasing within SATB voicing
Groove-based ensemble singing
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