Kirby Shaw's career spans decades of innovation in choral music education, carrying his expertise across six continents and more than 45 states. Armed with 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 built a reputation for infectious energy and depth of musical knowledge. His teaching positions have taken him from Mt. Shasta's public schools to college faculty roles at College of the Siskiyous, Colorado State University, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where he founded and directed celebrated vocal jazz ensembles that set new standards for educational excellence.
Shaw's prolific output as a composer and arranger speaks for itself: over 2500 choral works in print, nearly 20 million copies sold worldwide, and regular performances in choirs across the globe. His musical training includes one-on-one mentorship from jazz legends like Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks, whose stamp of approval still resonates. Beyond his choral work, Shaw is an active member of Just 4 Kicks, an a cappella ensemble, and has recently co-created Scroogical, an original musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol with his wife, Markita. His achievements have earned him multiple ASCAP awards and a commission from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the spiritual authenticity and rhythmic drive that define Shaw's best work. The 2-part voicing makes it accessible for developing choirs while preserving the gospel energy that makes the piece feel genuinely alive, not diluted.
What to expect
The spiritual carries a forward momentum all its own. There's both reverence and joy woven through the texture, with the rhythmic foundation underneath creating a sense of purpose and movement.
Who it's for
Any choir seeking a piece with genuine spiritual depth and contemporary energy. The 2-part voicing makes it ideal for middle school, high school, or community choirs at intermediate levels who are ready to explore rock and gospel idioms with musical seriousness.
How to get the most out of it
Encourage singers to feel the groove from the first rehearsal. Shaw's rock and gospel influences work best when the ensemble commits to a relaxed, swinging delivery rather than a stiff, classical approach.
Pay attention to the dialogue between parts. The writing creates natural call-and-response moments that come alive when both sections listen actively to each other.
Use dynamic contrast to shape the arc. A train picks up speed, and this piece should follow a similar trajectory, building momentum through subtle dynamic layering.
How to use it
Pair this with other spirituals or sacred rock selections to create a thematic set that explores different eras of American spiritual music. It works equally well as a festival showcase piece or as part of a concert that balances classical repertoire with contemporary voices.
Skills your students will build
Gospel phrasing and swing rhythms in a choral setting
Part independence within a 2-part texture
Dynamic control for building musical momentum
Blending vocal tone across contemporary and sacred idioms
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