The Sixties: Music That Rocked The World: SAB Choral Octavo
The Sixties: Music That Rocked The World Sheet Music Preview

The Sixties: Music That Rocked The World: SAB Choral Octavo

Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS00176360
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$3.50
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 6
SKU: 35-DS00176360

More about this title

About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw's work has transformed choral programs across North America, Europe, and beyond. Trained in music education and choral conducting at San Jose State University and the University of Washington, he brings both compositional rigor and infectious energy to everything he touches. His teaching style blends deep musical knowledge with genuine humor, a combination that has earned him respect from vocal legends like Bobby McFerrin and Al Jarreau.

With over 2,500 arrangements and compositions in print and nearly 20 million copies sold worldwide, Shaw has become one of the most performed choral composers of our time. His work spans jazz ensemble direction at universities across the country, vocal jazz education, and his role with Just 4 Kicks, a professional a cappella ensemble. Recent commissions include work for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and his original musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol reflects his ongoing commitment to creating meaningful choral experiences.

Why we love this

Shaw's gift for accessibility meets his sophisticated understanding of vocal writing here. This arrangement captures the swagger and energy of 1960s rock and pop without oversimplifying the harmonic language or underestimating what a solid SAB choir can deliver. The six pages pack authentic period flavor alongside singability, making it ideal for concerts that need genuine musical substance alongside crowd appeal.

What to expect

Infectious and spirited. The Sixties burned with a particular kind of musical confidence and optimism that Shaw captures here; expect arrangements that feel both fun to sing and genuinely rewarding musically. There's a sense of celebration woven through the voicing and phrasing.

Who it's for

Choirs that want to program recognizable, energetic material without sacrificing musicality. This works equally well for high school choirs seeking accessible ensemble pieces and community choirs looking to connect with audiences through music that resonates across generations.

How to get the most out of it

  • Let the rhythm drive the piece. These songs defined an era through groove and forward momentum, so lock into a comfortable tempo early and maintain it with conviction.
  • Balance the parts carefully; SAB voicing can blur in the upper midrange if sopranos aren't clearly supported by the altos underneath.
  • Study the original recordings together as an ensemble. Hearing how these songs breathe in their original forms will inform phrasing, diction, and stylistic choices.
  • Mark your diction cues and energy shifts. Shaw writes arrangements that demand clarity and confidence, especially in unison sections where the ensemble voice becomes an instrument itself.

How to use it

Ideal as a full set for a concert spotlight on popular music that still stands up musically, or sprinkle selections throughout a program as energy boosters between heavier classical repertoire. This also serves community and educational concerts where you need pieces that engage audiences immediately while showcasing your choir's range.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in period pop and rock styles with stylistic authenticity
  • Blending SAB voicing across register transitions
  • Managing rhythmic precision in groove-based arrangements
  • Interpreting historical musical context through performance
  • Balancing homophonic and contrapuntal writing within a single piece

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