Christmas (Baby Please Come Home): SSA Choral Octavo
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) Sheet Music Preview

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home): SSA Choral Octavo

Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS00262811
Digital Download
$2.99
Description

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home): SSA Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 11
SKU: 35-DS00262811

More about this title

About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw's influence on choral music stretches across six continents, where his teaching combines rigorous musicianship with infectious energy. Holding degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, Shaw has built a career rooted in both performance and pedagogy. He founded the acclaimed COS Vocal Jazz Ensemble at College of the Siskiyous and later directed similar programs at Colorado State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City before taking the helm of the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University.

As a composer and arranger, Shaw has created over 2,500 works for choral ensembles worldwide, with sales exceeding 19 million copies and multiple ASCAP awards recognizing his contributions. His arranging ear developed through direct study with jazz vocalists including Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks. Beyond the concert hall, Shaw co-wrote the musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol called Scroogical with his wife, Markita, bringing his theatrical sensibilities to holiday storytelling.

Why we love this

Shaw's ear for voice leading and text declamation shines through in this straightforward, deeply satisfying arrangement. The writing sits naturally for SSA choirs without sacrificing harmonic sophistication or the song's iconic emotional warmth. Its 11-page length makes it accessible for holiday programs while the arrangement details keep experienced ensembles engaged.

What to expect

Tender and intimate, capturing the yearning quality of the original while opening it up for three-part harmony. The arrangement wraps you in nostalgia without becoming sentimental, letting the melody carry its own emotional truth through clear, accessible voicing.

Who it's for

SSA and SSAA choirs of intermediate to advanced musicianship seeking a holiday standard with arranging substance. Works equally well for concert ensembles, community choirs, and school programs wanting a piece that honors the original without relying on gimmick.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the melody across your soprano line while letting the lower voices establish harmonic foundation; the arrangement thrives when each part feels essential rather than supporting.
  • Shape the phrase with genuine legato through the chorus sections; resist the impulse to punch rhythmic attacks when the arrangement itself provides all the momentum you need.
  • Allow space in the accompaniment to breathe between major sections; this song carries emotional weight that benefits from strategic silence and reflection.

How to use it

Anchor your December concert with this as a late-set choice that shifts the emotional temperature and connects with audiences of all ages. Pair it with contemporary holiday work or folk arrangements to create programming that spans generations, or feature it as a standalone moment that reminds listeners why this song endures.

Skills your students will build

  • Blend and balance in close harmonic writing
  • Vocal line independence in three-part texture
  • Phrasing control through extended legato passages
  • Expressive interpretation of a well-known melody
  • Part security through clear voice leading

You May Also Like