Last Train Runnin': Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00334028
$20.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Last Train Runnin' - Guitar: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 | |
| Last Train Runnin' - Bass: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 | |
| Last Train Runnin' - Drums: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 |
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Description
Set in an up-tempo gospel style with energetic rhythms, call and response vocal lines and a driving accompaniment, this original spiritual is just the ticket for a fantastic choral showcase!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00334028
More about this title
About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw
Kirby Shaw's influence extends across continents. He holds degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. His career spans teaching positions at College of the Siskiyous in California, Colorado State University, the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and currently Southern Oregon University, where he directs the Jefferson State Choral Coalition. He has presented clinics and workshops in 45 states plus Canada, Australia, the Bahamas, Sweden, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Germany.
As both a composer and arranger, Shaw has created over 2,500 choral works that have sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. His background in vocal jazz runs deep; he has studied one-on-one with Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Chris Calloway, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks. Shaw remains active as a performer with Just 4 Kicks, a jazz-focused a cappella quartet, and has received multiple ASCAP awards for his prolific output. His most recent commission came from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Why we love this
Shaw understands how to harness the energy that gospel idioms naturally generate. The call and response structure gives every section something to sing that matters, while the up-tempo setting prevents momentum from ever sagging. This arrangement delivers the kind of joyful, immediately engaging moment that reminds audiences why they came to a choral concert.
What to expect
Pure momentum. The piece builds its power through rhythmic propulsion and vocal interplay rather than through dynamic shifts or harmonic complexity. You feel the train gathering speed, carried along by voices that respond to each other with joy and purpose.
Who it's for
Any choir looking to close a concert with genuine excitement and infectious energy. The spiritual foundation appeals to programs seeking meaningful repertoire, while the contemporary arrangement keeps the sound current and engaging for modern audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Isolate the call and response sections in rehearsal so singers understand their role in the musical conversation. The energy shifts depending on who's singing and who's listening.
- Let the rhythm section lock in first. Once the drums and bass establish the groove, everything else sits naturally on top of it.
- Push the tempo slightly; gospel feels best when it's breathing with forward momentum rather than sitting static.
How to use it
Save this for the final number of a spring or winter concert. Its uplifting character and participatory structure create a natural celebration that sends audiences home energized. It also works beautifully as a showcase piece for a gospel or multicultural concert.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated gospel idioms
- Call and response phrasing and listening
- Driving energy while maintaining melodic clarity
- Ensemble cohesion across multiple simultaneous rhythmic layers