Rhythm Dance: SSA Choral Octavo

Rhythm Dance captures Shaw's gift for writing music that sounds deceptively simple but demands genuine musicianship and rhythmic precision from singers. The scat-syllable approach immediately breaks down performance anxiety while building ear training and ensemble cohesion in ways traditional text-based pieces often don't. It works beautifully in both concert and jazz contexts, making it an uncommonly flexible choice for mixed-ability choirs seeking something contemporary and engaging.

Rhythm Dance pulses with modern, rhythmic vitality. Sung entirely on scat syllables, it feels less like a traditional choral piece and more like a collective improvisation grounded in a sleek, contemporary groove. The new-age harmonic sensibility gives it an accessible, almost meditative quality despite the rhythmic energy driving it forward.

SSA choirs ranging from high school through community and adult ensembles looking for a contemporary piece that engages singers and audiences alike. Directors seeking repertoire that bridges concert and jazz styles will find Rhythm Dance both stylistically honest and educationally rewarding.

• Establish the groove pocket first in rehearsal before worrying about precise scat articulation; once your singers feel the new-age rhythm, the syllables will land naturally.
• Layer the recording accompaniment early and often so singers internalize the harmonic foundation and build confidence against a solid groove.
• Encourage singers to listen to scat jazz vocalists (Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby McFerrin, Kurt Elling) to hear authentic phrasing and timing inflections beyond what notation can capture.
• Rehearse the parts separately with attention to rhythmic independence; SSA voicing can blur if sections aren't locking their individual lines with precision.

Pair this with other contemporary secular works to showcase your choir's stylistic range and comfort with non-traditional vocal approaches. It's an excellent opener or closer for a concert program, and it works equally well in a jazz choir set or as a crossover moment in a more classical program. The 8-page length makes it manageable for groups with limited rehearsal time while still making a significant impact.

• Rhythmic precision in contemporary grooves and syncopated lines
• Scat singing technique and diction on non-pitched syllables
• Ensemble blend and balance in SSA voicing without text anchors
• Listening and ear training within a jazz harmonic context
• Stylistic flexibility and comfort performing across concert and jazz idioms