Kirby Shaw has spent decades shaping choral music education across North America and internationally, earning a reputation as both an innovative pedagogue and a prolific composer. With formal training in music education, choral composition, and conducting from San Jose State University and the University of Washington, Shaw has built an impressive career directing award-winning vocal jazz ensembles at institutions including Colorado State University, the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and Southern Oregon University. His teaching style combines deep musical knowledge with infectious humor, qualities that have made him a sought-after clinician in 45 states and numerous countries.
Shaw's output as a composer and arranger is staggering: over 2500 works in print that have sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. Beyond choral music, he has collaborated with vocal legends including Bobby McFerrin and Al Jarreau, overseen the production of hundreds of educational recordings, and recently received a commission from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Shaw's contributions to music education have earned him multiple ASCAP awards and cemented his position as one of the most performed composers in school choirs today.
Why we love this
Shaw's ability to write holiday music that lands with genuine musicality rather than novelty appeal shows throughout this arrangement. The boogie rhythm gives your singers something undeniably fun to sink their teeth into while maintaining harmonic substance that doesn't insult their growing musicianship.
What to expect
The boogie pulse gives this carol infectious forward momentum. It's Christmas music that swings, playful without being saccharine, and built on a foundation of genuine harmonic interest that lets your singers feel the musicality underneath the fun.
Who it's for
Choirs with solid fundamentals looking to program something with personality and contemporary flair. This works equally well for concert choirs wanting a crowd-pleaser and show choirs seeking something musically legitimate alongside their dance numbers.
How to get the most out of it
Lock the rhythm section (especially bass and accompaniment) into a tight groove during rehearsals; the boogie swing depends entirely on rhythmic precision, not tempo rushing.
Keep the text delivery crisp and articulate through the faster passages to ensure the comedic timing lands without losing musical clarity.
Balance the upper voices in block chord sections so sopranos don't overshadow the alto and tenor lines, which carry important harmonic color.
How to use it
Open a winter concert with this to energize the room and set a conversational tone, or use it as a bridge piece between a serious holiday selection and your closing sing-along. The straightforward arrangement also makes it an ideal choice for community performances or shorter rehearsal windows since singers absorb the material quickly.
Skills your students will build
Swing rhythm coordination and subdividing the backbeat
Singing in close harmony while maintaining rhythmic independence
Balancing blend in an SATB texture with active accompaniment
Maintaining clear diction at moderate tempo in block homophonic passages
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