Holiday Jazz!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw brings decades of vocal jazz experience directly into this arrangement, creating an introduction to scat singing that feels authentic rather than gimmicky. The chart balances accessibility for developing choirs with genuine musicality, so your singers engage real jazz vocabulary and phrasing from their first rehearsal. The included choreography transforms what could be a simple holiday feature into a complete performance package that connects movement and music seamlessly.

The energy is upbeat and playful, with Shaw's signature blend of holiday warmth and genuine jazz swing. Scat passages feel approachable rather than intimidating, inviting singers to loosen up and discover their jazz voice while the underlying harmonic framework keeps everything grounded and musical.

This chart is built for middle school and early high school choirs discovering jazz vocabulary, but the fresh holiday angle and Kirby Shaw's polished writing appeal equally to experienced ensembles looking for a spirited concert feature. Any 2-part choir seeking an accessible entry into scat singing will find both musicality and fun here.

• Establish the swing feel early in rehearsals by isolating the rhythm section groove; if using the recorded accompaniment, have your singers listen to the backbeat before singing any melody.
• Break the scat singing into short, singable phrases rather than tackling whole sections at once. Let singers hear and repeat each pattern multiple times, then string them together incrementally.
• Integrate the printed choreography gradually into rehearsal once your singers own the music; movement should feel natural, not tacked on.
• If performing with a live rhythm section, schedule a dedicated rehearsal with guitar, bass, and drums to lock the ensemble interpretation and ensure the singers feel secure over the live accompaniment.

Program this as a closing concert feature or winter assembly highlight where its infectious energy and audience appeal shine brightest. It works equally well as a sectional warm-up piece during the holiday season, teaching jazz fundamentals while keeping rehearsals energized.

• Scat singing basics and jazz articulation
• Understanding and executing swing rhythm
• Improvisation within a structured framework
• Coordination of singing with choreographed movement
• Listening to and locking with rhythm section accompaniment