Real Men Sing!: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00226128
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Description
Taking its title from the popular festivals around the country that help young men find the joy and richness that singing brings to life, this uptempo original will showcase your men's choir. After listing all the activities that "real men" might do (run a marathon, climb a mountain, race a car, pump iron), it's very clear...they can also SING! Duration: ca. 2:15.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00226128
More about this title
About the Composer: Kirby Shaw
Kirby Shaw's reputation as a choral educator spans continents. He holds degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and earned his DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. His teaching carries the hallmark of infectious humor paired with serious musical knowledge, a combination that has made him a sought-after clinician across 45 states and internationally in Canada, Australia, and throughout Europe.
As a composer and arranger, Shaw has created more than 2500 works that are performed globally and have sold nearly 20 million copies, earning him multiple ASCAP awards. His credentials include founding and directing the acclaimed COS Vocal Jazz Ensemble at College of the Siskiyous, directing similar ensembles at Colorado State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and currently leading the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University. Beyond composition, Shaw has studied vocal jazz directly with legends including Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks. He is also a performing member of Just 4 Kicks, a four-man a cappella jazz ensemble.
Why we love this
Shaw nails the voice of these contemporary men's singing festivals by writing something that feels like a natural rally cry rather than a lecture. The arrangement combines rock energy with genuine inspiration, giving your choir a piece that lands with humor and heart without veering into camp or triteness. Your singers will feel the permission to celebrate what they're doing, which is exactly what builds sustainable participation in men's choral programs.
What to expect
Driving and celebratory, with just enough wit to keep things from becoming heavy-handed. The rock elements give it forward momentum while the choral writing ensures the message registers clearly and powerfully with your audience.
Who it's for
Any men's choir, male ensemble, or festival group that wants to celebrate what they do while delivering an energetic, crowd-pleasing performance. This works equally well for high school ensembles, college groups, and adult community choirs looking for a contemporary piece with real substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Set the tempo with real drive in the opening. This arrangement needs to feel like momentum from the first note, not a slow build.
- Balance the spoken or rhythmic sections carefully so the text lands without drowning out the harmonic foundation underneath.
- Lock in the rock feel by anchoring the rhythm section; the groove is what makes the inspirational message believable rather than preachy.
- Trust the humor. If your men are grinning when they reference all those 'real man' activities, the audience will believe the punchline when they sing.
How to use it
Save this for a moment when your audience energy is ready to lift. It pairs well at the end of a concert or as the closing number of a festival showcase, where it can send people out feeling energized and affirmed. The two-minute-fifteen second duration makes it ideal for tight concert slots or competition rounds where impact matters more than length.
Skills your students will build
- Rock and contemporary rhythmic feel in a choral context
- Confident, direct vocal delivery with conversational tone
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated ensemble passages
- Dynamic contrast between softer reflective moments and full-voiced affirmations