Climbin' Higher Mountains (arr. Kirby Shaw): Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Aretha Franklin / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK01198998
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Description
Recorded by Aretha Franklin, this soulful arrangement will bring the house down!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01198998
More about this title
About the Artist: Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin stands as one of the most influential vocalists in American music history. Her powerful contralto, emotional depth, and command of phrasing transformed every genre she touched, from gospel to soul to pop, earning her the title "Queen of Soul." In music education, Franklin's recordings serve as masterclasses in vocal control, interpretive maturity, and the art of connecting with an audience.
Franklin's roots in gospel music shaped her entire artistic identity. Her father was a renowned gospel minister, and her early training in church gave her the spiritual foundation that resonated through decades of recording and performance. For educators, her work demonstrates how deep musical literacy and authentic expression create performances that move people across generations.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the soul and urgency of Franklin's original while making it accessible for ensemble voices. The gospel feel is immediate and contagious, giving your singers a chance to experience the joy of this spiritual without requiring soloists of Franklin's caliber. Programming this creates a moment of genuine uplift that audiences remember long after the concert ends.
What to expect
Joyful and driven, with an undercurrent of determination. The arrangement has energy without being frantic, and there's real emotional truth underneath the celebration. Your singers will feel the difference between performing notes and inhabiting a spiritual tradition.
Who it's for
Directors seeking a gospel showstopper that works for smaller or flexible voicings. Choirs with at least basic blend and listening skills will thrive here; this isn't a sight-reading piece, but it rewards attention to the recorded source material.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the swing feel throughout. Gospel rhythm lives in the space between the beat, not on top of it, so encourage your singers to listen to the Aretha recording multiple times before rehearsal begins.
- Balance the harmony parts so the melody sits clearly on top without any section drowning out the others. In combo voicing, blend becomes everything.
- Let the text drive the phrasing. "Climbin' Higher Mountains" is about perseverance and faith, so each phrase should build slightly rather than reset. Think of it as a musical conversation between sections, not isolated lines.
- If you're using the recorded accompaniment, start with it at rehearsals to ground the feel, then pull it away so the choir can own the pocket together.
How to use it
This works as a second-half opener to shift the mood after more formal repertoire, or as a closing encore that sends the audience out energized. It's particularly effective in programs that celebrate American music traditions or in contexts where you want to acknowledge the roots of contemporary vocal music.
Skills your students will build
- Gospel swing rhythm and feel
- Blend and balance in combo voicing
- Phrase shaping driven by text and emotion
- Listening to recorded sources for stylistic accuracy
- Ensemble cohesion across independent harmony parts