Come Rain Or Come Shine (arr. Kirby Shaw): Choral Instrumental Pak

Shaw's jazz sensibility shines through in this arrangement, bringing sophisticated harmonic color and natural swing feel to a standard that choirs know and audiences love. The Choral Instrumental Pak format gives you everything needed for a polished performance without the complexity of sourcing parts separately. This is the kind of arrangement that sounds effortless in performance but reveals clever voice leading and smart instrumental doubling that supports rather than overshadows the vocal line.

Warm, optimistic, and effortlessly cool. This arrangement captures the emotional comfort of a beloved standard while infusing it with the sophisticated harmonies and rhythmic freedom that define Shaw's jazz-educated voice. The piece invites singers to lean into the lyricism and allows instrumental colors to enhance rather than compete with the melody.

Jazz-influenced choirs and select show choirs seeking a sophisticated treatment of a classic American standard. Directors who want to program recognizable repertoire with fresh arranging and students ready to navigate jazz harmony and swing rhythms.

• Establish the swing feel early in rehearsal by listening to a recorded jazz version together. The rhythmic pocket matters as much as the notes.
• Let your rhythm section (piano, bass, drums if available) lock in independently during sectionals. Their confidence directly impacts how the singers breathe and phrase.
• Pay attention to where the arrangement opens up or thins out texturally. These moments often need special attention to ensemble balance so nothing gets lost.
• Shape the dynamics around the text and melodic contour rather than relying on uniform volume throughout. Jazz standards thrive on subtle inflection.

Pair this with other Broadway or standards repertoire for a concert celebrating American songbook traditions. It also works beautifully as a standalone feature for an informal performance or as a bridge between your classical and jazz programming. Consider staging it mid-season when your ensemble has the rhythmic security to handle the style with confidence.

• Swing rhythm and jazz phrasing (resisting straight eighth notes)
• Harmonic complexity including jazz extensions and reharmonization
• Balancing vocal melody with instrumental accompaniment
• Stylistic sensitivity to jazz standards and Broadway conventions
• Ensemble breathing and ensemble articulation within a jazz context