More Than a Feeling (arr. Kirby Shaw): TTBB Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement transforms this arena rock staple into a vehicle for male voices that captures the original's anthemic quality while making it singable and exciting for TTBB ensembles. The flexible voicing option (TB/TTB/TBB/TTBB) means you can use this with choirs at different development levels, and the arrangement respects both the source material and vocal pedagogy. Audiences recognize the melody instantly, which always pays dividends for concert attendance and student enthusiasm.

The arrangement captures the quiet-loud dynamic of the original, starting with intimacy before building into a full-voiced rock anthem. There's a joy in the progression that mirrors the song's narrative arc, giving singers a genuine emotional journey rather than just executing harmonies.

Men's and mixed choirs looking for contemporary repertoire that audiences actually know and enjoy. This works equally well for directors building confidence in newer singers who need a recognizable song to feel investment in their singing, or for experienced ensembles seeking crossover appeal without sacrificing musical substance.

• Lean into the rock feel by letting your rhythm section lock the groove early in rehearsal; the arrangement will sit better once the pulse is internalized rather than metrically precise.
• Balance the melody line against the supporting voices to preserve clarity of the hook, especially in the sections where multiple parts move together.
• Use the flexibility in voicing strategically: if your first tenors are limited, shift to TB or TBB for specific phrases where Kirby Shaw's arrangement allows it, rather than struggling with the full TTBB throughout.
• Record a rehearsal mix with just the baritones and basses; identifying their independent line quality early prevents them from disappearing into the texture later.

Slot this into a concert that mixes repertoire genres, where it serves as a bridge between classical pieces and full pop coverage. It also works as a closer or encore that leaves audiences smiling and energized, and it's substantive enough to program during dedicated pops or contemporary music concerts without feeling lightweight.

• Balancing melody and supporting harmonies in a commercially familiar context
• Singing sustained rock style lines while maintaining vocal health
• Navigating flexible voicing choices based on ensemble makeup
• Interpreting dynamic contrasts driven by song structure rather than traditional choral phrasing