Crazy Carols: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Shaw's reputation for infusing humor into choral music without sacrificing musicianship makes this collection exactly what many directors need during the holiday season. These four arrangements feel genuinely inventive rather than merely wacky, delivering the novelty factor that energizes rehearsals while still requiring real vocal execution from singers.

These arrangements sparkle with irreverence and playfulness. You'll find unexpected harmonic twists, rhythmic surprises, and moments of delightful musical mischief woven through recognizable holiday melodies, creating arrangements that feel both contemporary and rooted in the songs audiences know.

Choirs looking to program something genuinely fresh and engaging for holiday concerts, particularly those with singers who thrive on music that doesn't take itself too seriously. This octavo works well for mixed or treble choirs seeking material that builds ensemble energy and maintains audience engagement during the final weeks before winter break.

• Commit fully to the comedic intent. Shaw's humor lands only when singers perform with confidence and precision rather than winking at the audience.
• Use the recorded accompaniment strategically during early rehearsals to lock in the distinctive character of each arrangement, then gradually build independence as the choir gains security.
• Balance the irreverent moments with clean articulation and phrase shaping so the novelty quality enhances rather than obscures the musical line.
• Work dynamics carefully. The 'crazy' element often depends on unexpected shifts in volume and intensity, so map these together before dress rehearsals.

Program this as a finale or highlight segment that shifts the mood of a concert and leaves the audience smiling. The novelty context makes it especially effective in the second half of a winter concert, after more traditional or serious selections have established the choir's musical credibility.

• Performing with stylistic control in non-traditional contexts
• Maintaining precision during rhythmically complex or syncopated passages
• Balancing humor and musicality without sacrificing intonation or blend
• Following ensemble cues in arrangements with unexpected harmonic and melodic turns