Oo, Barbecue!: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Oo, Barbecue! Sheet Music Preview

Oo, Barbecue!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

By Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS00410110
Digital Download
$2.99
Description

Oo, Barbecue!: 2-Part Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 10
SKU: 35-DS00410110

More about this title

About the Composer: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw stands among the most performed choral composers in music education, with over 2,500 arrangements and compositions in active circulation worldwide. His formal training includes degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University, plus a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. Beyond his prolific output as a composer and arranger, Shaw has built a distinguished career as a clinician and ensemble director, founding and leading acclaimed vocal jazz programs at College of the Siskiyous, Colorado State University, University of Missouri at Kansas City, and Southern Oregon University.

Shaw's musicianship extends into the professional realm through his work with legendary vocalists including Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Chris Calloway, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks. His creative reach spans educational recordings, college albums, solo releases, and concert works that have sold nearly 20 million copies and earned multiple ASCAP awards. He performs as a member of Just 4 Kicks, a four-voice a cappella jazz ensemble, and continues composing and arranging while directing the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University.

Why we love this

Shaw writes novelty pieces that actually swing. This arrangement captures the loose, conversational energy of jazz vocal writing while keeping the part-writing accessible for developing singers. The humor lands without sacrificing musicality, making it the kind of opener that wakes up an audience and reminds everyone why singing together is genuinely fun.

What to expect

Casual, swinging, and full of personality. The piece invites singers to loosen up, embrace the groove, and let their playful side show. It's the musical equivalent of friends trading quips over food, set to a backbeat that makes you want to move.

Who it's for

Any choir looking to program something that energizes a concert and showcases jazz sensibility without demanding extensive vocal jazz experience. It works equally well for high school treble choirs, mixed ensembles, or community groups seeking accessible novelty fare with real musical substance.

How to get the most out of it

  • Emphasize the swing eighths and let the rhythm section (if using accompaniment) lock in first. Singers should sit back slightly on the beat, never rushing into the backbeat.
  • Shape the phrasing around speech rhythms rather than always landing on strong beats. Treat punctuation and natural pauses as musical gestures, not interruptions.
  • Build ensemble cohesion by sectioning the syncopated figures separately before combining voices. Lock the syllable articulation so 'Oo' and 'Barbecue' hit together across parts.
  • Layer in the humor gradually during rehearsals. Once intonation and rhythm are secure, singers can lean into the playfulness and character without losing accuracy.

How to use it

Open a concert with this to establish an informal, welcoming tone and immediately signal that your group doesn't take itself too seriously. It pairs well after something classical or traditional, giving audiences a moment to reset and enjoy the lighter side of choral music. Consider programming it in a spring or pop concert series where eclecticism is expected and celebrated.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing with swing rhythms and relaxed articulation
  • Balancing syncopated rhythmic figures between two parts
  • Interpreting jazz phrasing and inflection in ensemble setting
  • Confidence in novelty material and comedic delivery
  • Rhythmic independence and resilience in off-beat entrances

You May Also Like