Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' (from Oklahoma!) (arr. Kirby Shaw): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Rodgers Hammerstein / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK01102678
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Description
If anyone can make this opening song from Oklahoma swing, it's Kirby Shaw. Here, this iconic song by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein is set in a cool and happy jazz waltz that will have everyone in the room smiling.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01102678
More about this title
About the Composer: Rodgers Hammerstein
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II revolutionized musical theater by proving that songs could carry profound emotional weight while remaining instantly memorable. Their partnership, which began with Oklahoma! in 1943, established a template for the modern Broadway musical: integrated storytelling, sophisticated harmonies, and melodies that audiences could sing along to immediately. Rodgers' gift for lyrical composition paired with Hammerstein's gift for capturing character through words created some of the most enduring songs in American music.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's touch transforms a beloved standard into something fresh without abandoning what makes it work. The jazz waltz treatment gives your singers permission to relax into the text, and the rhythm section gets to actually drive the groove rather than simply support it. This arrangement proves that reimagining a classic doesn't require stripping it down or overcomplicating it; it requires clarity and joy, both of which Shaw delivers in spades.
What to expect
Sunshine and movement. The waltz lilt gives the melody a gentle sway while the jazz harmonies keep everything from feeling precious or nostalgic. You're singing about genuine hope and natural beauty, but through a lens that smiles at itself.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking a crowd-pleasing opener that feels contemporary and playful without being dismissive of the song's original heart. This works equally well for community choirs, high school groups, and college singers who want to include Broadway repertoire with musical substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the waltz meter breathe naturally. Many singers instinctively want to rush the three-beat pulse, so establishing a solid tempo at rehearsal and returning to it repeatedly will keep the swing feel honest.
- Balance the melody line against the rhythm section accompaniment parts. The instrumental pak parts should sit slightly behind the vocal line so the song's text stays front and center.
- Emphasize the lyrical quality of the opening phrases before the jazz inflections take hold. The song opens with genuine optimism, not irony, so the early moments need warmth and directness.
How to use it
Open a concert with this and you've set a tone of intelligent optimism that carries through whatever follows. It also works beautifully as a palette cleanser between heavier choral works, offering both your singers and audience a moment of straightforward musical pleasure. Consider pairing it with other Shaw arrangements for a Broadway set that showcases different sides of his arranging voice.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in triple meter while maintaining rhythmic swing
- Balancing jazz harmonies with clear diction in English text
- Blending vocal parts with instrumental accompaniment
- Interpreting style markings that bridge traditional Broadway and jazz idioms