It Only Takes A Moment: TTBB Choral Octavo
It Only Takes A Moment Sheet Music Preview

It Only Takes A Moment: TTBB Choral Octavo

Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS00254718
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$2.99
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 3
SKU: 35-DS00254718

More about this title

About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw's influence extends across five continents and into thousands of choirs. With formal training in music education, choral composition, and conducting at institutions including San Jose State University and the University of Washington, he brings both technical rigor and infectious enthusiasm to everything he creates. His teaching career spans public schools, community colleges, and major universities, where he founded and directed acclaimed vocal jazz ensembles that became models for collegiate choral programs.

As a composer and arranger, Shaw has an extraordinary catalog: over 2,500 works in print with nearly 20 million copies sold worldwide. His collaborations with jazz vocalists like Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks inform his sophisticated harmonic sensibilities. He is an active member of Just 4 Kicks, a jazz-focused a cappella group, and continues to receive commissions from prestigious organizations including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Multiple ASCAP awards recognize his prolific output and continued impact on choral music.

Why we love this

Shaw brings his signature jazz sensibility to this standard, creating voicings that sound sophisticated without overcomplicating the ensemble's task. The arrangement respects the song's warmth while giving men's voices something genuinely musical to sing, making this a rewarding choice for groups seeking Broadway material that feels fresh and maintains ensemble accessibility.

What to expect

Tender and urbane, with the kind of harmonic warmth that makes a song about a moment feel genuinely touching rather than saccharine. The voicing creates space and intimacy while maintaining the grandeur that makes this song memorable in the first place.

Who it's for

Men's choirs from intermediate to advanced levels seeking concert repertoire that lives up to both the song's elegance and their ensemble's capabilities. This works equally well for mixed groups performing a men's voicing section or for dedicated TTBB ensembles building a Broadway-leaning setlist.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the melody line across the top two voices so the soaring quality of the song remains clear; this isn't a background piece.
  • Attend to Shaw's harmonic rhythm. The jazz-influenced voicings move purposefully, and rushing through changes will blur the sophistication of the writing.
  • Let the text drive the phrasing rather than the bar line. The emotional arc of 'it only takes a moment' demands flexibility in how you shape phrases.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment as a reference for tempo and blend, but don't let it dictate your singers' nuance. Your interpretation matters here.

How to use it

Pair this with other Shaw arrangements or Broadway selections to build a cohesive section of your concert. Its three-page length makes it ideal for a mixed program where you need repertoire that feels substantial without dominating your rehearsal schedule. The song's emotional accessibility also makes it a natural closer or penultimate selection.

Skills your students will build

  • Jazz-influenced harmonic reading and voice leading
  • Balancing melody with supporting harmonies in close voicings
  • Interpreting Broadway material with musical flexibility and phrasing control
  • Ensemble blend and intonation in chromatic harmonic progressions

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