Flashdance...What A Feeling (from Flashdance) (arr. Kirby Shaw): Choral Instrumental Pak

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures what made this song unstoppable on the charts: the irresistible drive of the hook and the emotional lift of the lyrics. This isn't a novelty nostalgia piece; it's a legitimate pop rock setting that respects the song's power while giving singers real textural and dynamic work to do.

Propulsive and aspirational. The rock undercarriage keeps everything moving forward, while the melody and lyrics speak directly to overcoming doubt and finding your power. It's celebratory without being saccharine.

Choirs looking for contemporary pop material with genuine substance. The mix of accessibility and arranging sophistication works for intermediate to advanced groups; it won't feel like a step down for serious singers, and it gives newer singers a recognizable song to build confidence around.

• Build the tension in the verse by resisting the urge to go full volume too early. The verse thrives on restraint; the power comes from the contrast when the chorus lands.
• Lock the rhythmic pocket of the rock setting before adding expressive phrasing. The groove is essential, and ensemble cohesion in the rhythm section will make the instrumental parts land cleanly.
• Shape the iconic hook with a single, unified vowel sound on the main melodic gesture. Slight variations in vowel color across the choir will muddy what should feel like one bright spotlight.
• Attend to the dynamic arch across the full three-minute-fifteen-second performance. Plan where you want your climactic moment; this piece supports a genuine crescendo over its length.

This works exceptionally well in a concert that mixes era-spanning material or one devoted to songs that defined a decade. It also serves as an excellent closer for a show; audiences recognize it immediately, and the energy trajectory supports an exciting send-off.

• Singing against a rock groove without losing melodic shape
• Balancing a powerful hook with the vulnerability of the verse
• Coordinating with an instrumental ensemble or backing track
• Sustaining vocal energy across a three-minute arc