Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow: SATB Choral Octavo
Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow Sheet Music Preview

Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow: SATB Choral Octavo

Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS01843828
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 8
SKU: 35-DS01843828

More about this title

About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw's influence spans music education across North America and Europe, stemming from deep training in both pedagogy and composition at San Jose State University and the University of Washington. His career has centered on building vocal programs of distinction: he founded the celebrated COS Vocal Jazz Ensemble at College of the Siskiyous, directed similar ensembles at Colorado State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and currently leads the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University. Beyond the classroom, Shaw has earned mentorship from legendary vocalists including Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, and Al Jarreau, experiences that infuse his teaching with spontaneity and creative risk-taking.

As a prolific arranger and composer with over 2500 works in print, Shaw's music reaches choirs worldwide and has achieved nearly 20 million copies in sales. His catalog ranges from educational arrangements to major commissions for institutions like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and he has produced hundreds of recording sessions across five college and university albums. Shaw's ASCAP recognition reflects the breadth of his output, while his collaborative work with his wife Markita on original theatrical projects demonstrates a continuing commitment to innovative music making.

Why we love this

Shaw's arrangement brings fresh energy to this spiritual standard without obscuring its roots. The SATB voicing balances singability with genuine harmonic interest, making it accessible for developing singers while offering enough textural sophistication to engage experienced ensembles. Few arrangers understand how to honor a spiritual's contemplative core while creating moments of real ensemble power.

What to expect

The spiritual radiates quiet determination and faith, with moments of gentle urgency woven through. Shaw's voicing creates warmth without sentimentality, letting the text's call to action resonate through the ensemble's collective sound.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits SATB choirs ranging from high school through community ensembles. The singable tessitura and clear voice leading make it accessible to developing musicians, while its harmonic sophistication rewards careful rehearsal from more experienced groups.

How to get the most out of it

  • Let the melody breathe in the opening phrases; resist the urge to rush despite the spiritual's inherent forward motion.
  • Shape dynamics carefully between sections to reveal the harmonic journey Shaw creates beneath the familiar tune.
  • Encourage soloists or section leaders to own the emotional weight of the text, which will naturally influence ensemble phrasing.
  • Balance the four voices distinctly enough that inner harmony parts read clearly without any part feeling buried.

How to use it

Place this during the Christmas season as a bridge between secular holiday repertoire and deeper spiritual reflection, or program it within a concert exploring African American musical traditions. Its eight pages fit comfortably within a larger choral concert without requiring extensive rehearsal time relative to its impact.

Skills your students will build

  • Interpreting text-driven phrasing within a traditional spiritual framework
  • Balancing four-part harmony with melodic clarity
  • Responding to dynamic shape as an ensemble
  • Understanding harmonic underpinning beyond the melody line

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