I'm Gonna Ride That Train: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
I'm Gonna Ride That Train Sheet Music Preview

I'm Gonna Ride That Train: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

By Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS00169908
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 11
SKU: 35-DS00169908

More about this title

About the Composer: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw's influence on choral music education spans continents. With advanced degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, Shaw has brought his expertise to 45 states across North America and to audiences in Australia, the Bahamas, Sweden, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Germany. His teaching combines rigorous musicianship with infectious humor and creative energy.

As a prolific composer and arranger with more than 2500 works in print and nearly 20 million copies sold worldwide, Shaw has shaped choral repertoire across multiple genres. He founded and directed the acclaimed COS Vocal Jazz Ensemble at College of the Siskiyous before leading similar programs at Colorado State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. His recent commission for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and his numerous ASCAP awards reflect a career devoted to creating music that challenges and inspires singers at every level. Shaw currently directs the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University and continues composing alongside his wife, Markita.

Why we love this

Shaw writes with a natural feel for accessibility without sacrificing musical integrity. In a three-part mixed setting, his arrangement balances singability with enough harmonic color and rhythmic interest to keep rehearsals engaging. The rock and gospel influences give your singers contemporary material that connects to their world while reinforcing fundamental choral technique.

What to expect

Energy and forward motion define this arrangement. The rock underpinning gives it contemporary swagger, while the gospel vocabulary brings warmth and conviction. Singers feel the lift in their bodies as much as they hear it in the harmonies.

Who it's for

Choirs seeking gospel and rock repertoire that doesn't demand advanced technique but still delivers musical substance. The three-part mixed voicing works for treble-heavy ensembles and those balancing limited male voice resources.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the groove early. The rock foundation drives the piece, so establish the rhythmic pocket in sectionals before bringing everyone together.
  • Shape the text with conviction. Gospel phrasing is earned through commitment to the lyrical content, not just singing notes. Encourage singers to connect emotionally with the text.
  • Blend the three parts as equal voices. Shaw's writing distributes interesting material across all three lines, which prevents any part from sitting passively and creates a cohesive sound.
  • Let the accompaniment breathe. The recorded track supports your singers without overwhelming them; trust the space between phrases.

How to use it

This works beautifully on a sacred concert alongside traditional spirituals or contemporary hymn settings, where it provides stylistic variety without jarring tonal contrast. Its approachability also makes it ideal for shorter rehearsal cycles, should you need strong repertoire on a condensed timeline.

Skills your students will build

  • Gospel phrasing and articulation
  • Rock rhythm section coordination
  • Three-part harmonic independence
  • Blend and balance across mixed voicing
  • Text expression in secular sacred context

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