Destination Moon (arr. Kirby Shaw): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Marvin Fisher / By Roy Alfred / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK01805742
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Description
Your choir will be flying high with this buoyant, colorful Kirby Shaw arrangement of a Nat King Cole classic from the dawn of the mid-20th-century "space age." Intertwining vocal lines, vibrant harmonies, and a fun jazz vocalise section add interest. An optional rhythm section brings sensational swing to an "out of this world" adventure.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01805742
More about this title
About the Composer: Marvin Fisher
Marvin Fisher was a prolific songwriter and composer who shaped the sound of American popular music in the mid-twentieth century. His catalog spans film scores, standards, and novelty songs that captured the optimistic spirit of post-war America, including the whimsical "Destination Moon" that became a cultural touchstone of the space age era.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement transforms this nostalgic standard into a vehicle for contemporary choral musicality without losing the tune's infectious charm. The optional rhythm section makes this work equally effective in concert settings where you have instrumentalists or as a purely vocal showcase, giving you genuine programming flexibility.
What to expect
Lighthearted optimism meets sophisticated arranging. The vibrant harmonies evoke the playful wonder of mid-century space exploration, while the interweaving vocal textures create a sense of movement and energy that keeps listeners engaged from first note to last.
Who it's for
Choirs with intermediate to advanced musicianship and a director who wants to program something spirited and audience-friendly without sacrificing musical substance. The piece works equally well for groups that enjoy jazz idioms and those exploring arranged standards for the first time.
How to get the most out of it
- Treat the jazz vocalise section as an ensemble moment rather than a showcase for soloists; the effectiveness comes from voices moving together in rhythmic precision.
- Balance the intertwining vocal lines by identifying which voice carries the primary melodic weight in each phrase, then ensuring the secondary lines sit naturally underneath.
- If you include the rhythm section, rehearse the swing feel separately with your accompanists before the full group runs; this alignment pays immediate dividends in the ensemble's cohesion.
- Lean into the buoyancy of the harmonic language by keeping the overall tempo conversational rather than rushed, allowing the colorful chord changes to register with your audience.
How to use it
This arrangement pairs beautifully on a concert that celebrates American songwriting or the jazz standard repertoire. Its accessible charm makes it an excellent bridge piece between more classical selections, and the optional rhythm section allows you to feature your pit musicians or showcase your choir's rhythmic precision depending on your lineup.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz articulation and rhythmic precision in swing style
- Blending multiple independent melodic lines in close harmony
- Ensemble balance when several voices carry thematic material simultaneously
- Coordination with instrumental accompanists, particularly rhythm section entrances and tempo maintenance
- Stylistic interpretation of mid-century vocal jazz conventions