Rock This Town: TBB Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the irreverent spirit and driving rhythm of the original without demanding that your choir sound like a professional rock band. The voicing options (TB/TTB/TBB/TTBB) mean you can use this with virtually any ensemble configuration, and the ten-page score gives you enough substance to build real rehearsal momentum without overwhelming students.

Infectious, playful, and propulsive. The arrangement captures the cocky, fast-paced character of rockabilly with hand claps, tight rhythmic unison sections, and enough harmonic spice to keep singers engaged. Performing this feels like being part of a record rather than singing from a score.

Any choir director looking for a crossover hit that appeals equally to students and audiences. Whether you're working with a show choir, a concert ensemble, or even a mixed group in a more traditional setting, this arrangement speaks the language of popular music while respecting vocal technique and musicianship.

• Lock the rhythm section into a tight groove first; the guitars and drums are the engine, so get your bass and rhythm singers locked in before layering harmonies.
• Push the articulation on the repeated rhythmic phrases to match the original's percussive edge; crisp consonants and tight releases make the difference between energy and sloppiness.
• Let the swagger show. This song lives in confidence and attitude, so encourage singers to commit fully to the infectious, cheeky character rather than holding back.
• Balance the lead melody so it cuts through the ensemble; rockabilly arrangements often bury the hook, but your audience needs to hear it clearly.

Program this as a closing number on a spring or fall concert to send the audience out energized and smiling. Pair it with other pop or contemporary arrangements to showcase your choir's versatility, or use it as a standalone novelty piece that breaks up a more formal program without sacrificing musicianship.

• Rhythmic precision in rock/rockabilly grooves
• Articulation and style-specific diction
• Singing with confidence and personality
• Blend and balance within a mixed meter/syncopated framework
• Part independence while maintaining ensemble cohesion