Mornin' (arr. Kirby Shaw): SAB Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures Jarreau's signature warmth and vocal sophistication in a voicing that works beautifully for developing choirs. The piece lets singers experience groove-based harmony and contemporary phrasing without requiring advanced technical demands, making it both accessible and genuinely rewarding to perform.

Warm, approachable, and genuinely funky. The piece invites singers into the intimacy of Jarreau's vocal world while maintaining the energy and sophistication of contemporary arranging. It feels conversational and alive, never stiff.

This arrangement works for intermediate to advanced high school choirs, community ensembles, and college programs seeking contemporary material with genuine substance. Directors who want their singers experiencing jazz and pop without abandoning strong musicianship will find this especially valuable.

• Let the rhythm section lock the pocket first. Singers should listen to the accompaniment repeatedly to internalize the groove before worrying about perfect pitch.
• Emphasize natural phrasing over metronomic precision. Jarreau's original thrives on rhythmic flexibility, so encourage slight pushes and pulls that feel vocal rather than mechanical.
• Shape the three voice parts as a unified texture rather than separate lines. The blend matters more than individual brilliance in this style.
• Check intonation carefully in the jazz voicings, particularly where the chord extensions sit. These arrangements often call for slightly adjusted tuning to accommodate the harmonic color.

Program this as a closer or second-to-last selection on a concert featuring mixed repertoire. It bridges classical and popular audiences effectively and provides a stylistic contrast that energizes an entire program. Consider pairing it with other contemporary sacred or secular works to demonstrate your ensemble's range.

• Jazz phrasing and rhythmic flexibility within ensemble singing
• Reading and executing contemporary chord extensions and voice leading
• Blend and balance in funk and groove-based textures
• Interpretation of stylistic articulation and dynamic shaping specific to R&B and soul idioms