Rock This Town: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Brian Setzer / As performed by Stray Cats / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00132515
$30.00
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Description
Flashback to the '80s with this rockabilly classic by the Stray Cats! Guitar-fueled riffs give this chart great appeal and will turn your concert into a non-stop party! Duration: ca. 2:30.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00132515
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Setzer
Brian Setzer is the guitarist and frontman who founded the Stray Cats in 1979, bringing rockabilly back to mainstream audiences when the genre seemed long forgotten. His explosive guitar work and energetic stage presence made the Stray Cats a fixture of '80s rock radio, and his arrangements and compositions shaped the band's signature sound that still resonates with audiences decades later.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original without losing the guitar-driven backbone that makes this song instantly recognizable. Your students will thrive on material that feels contemporary to their ears while demanding genuine musicianship; this hits both marks and generates the kind of enthusiasm that makes rehearsals genuinely fun.
What to expect
This is pure rockabilly swagger captured in vocal harmony. The energy crackles from the opening moment; it never settles into ballad territory but instead maintains that bouncing, propulsive groove that made the original a radio staple. Your singers get to feel like rock stars while executing genuine musical craft.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking crossover material that bridges classical concert settings and popular music will find this Choral Instrumental Pak ideal for spring concerts or pops-style programs. It works particularly well for advanced high school and college ensembles who can handle the rock idiom with precision while enjoying the accessibility of the source material.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythmic pocket early in rehearsal by isolating the kick-snare pattern with your rhythm section, then layer the vocal parts on top once that foundation is solid.
- Push the guitar riffs to sit confidently in the front of the mix; they're the identity of this piece, so don't let ensemble blend bury them.
- Nail the articulation on the syncopated hits in the instrumental sections to maximize the crisp, percussive feel that gives the arrangement its swagger.
How to use it
Place this as a strategic moment in your concert lineup to shift the energy and remind your audience why contemporary music matters in choral programming. It pairs beautifully on a mixed program where you're balancing classical with pop repertoire, or it can anchor an entire '80s nostalgia set if you're building that concept into your season.
Skills your students will build
- Rock rhythm conventions and syncopation
- Ensemble blend and balance in a groove-based context
- Guitar riff independence from vocal parts
- Coordinate energy and dynamics across sections while maintaining rhythmic pocket