Up Above My Head (There's Music In The Air): Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00154598
$20.00
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Description
Original words and music combine with the traditional spiritual in a happy two-beat style that will set every toe tapping. Easy back and forth lines and accessible harmonies make this setting a winner for all types of choirs. Duration: ca. 3:40.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00154598
More about this title
About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw
Kirby Shaw's influence on choral music education spans five decades and six continents. Armed with degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, he has built a career marked by infectious energy and genuine pedagogical depth. His work in public schools and at institutions including College of the Siskiyous, Colorado State University, University of Missouri at Kansas City, and Southern Oregon University established him as a leader in vocal jazz and choral innovation.
With over 2,500 choral arrangements and compositions in print, Shaw's music has sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide and earned multiple ASCAP awards. His collaborative credits include work with vocal luminaries like Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks. Beyond his prolific arranging catalog, Shaw co-created the musical Scroogical (based on Dickens' A Christmas Carol) and performs with Just 4 Kicks, a jazz-focused a cappella ensemble.
Why we love this
Shaw's gift lies in writing music that feels effortless to sing while maintaining genuine musical substance. The two-beat groove and conversational antiphonal lines invite even less experienced choirs to find confidence quickly, yet the arrangement avoids condescension. Pairing a beloved spiritual with original material creates a sense of discovery that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.
What to expect
Sunshine and movement. The two-beat lilt removes any heaviness from the arrangement, creating an uplifting sense of celebration without sacrificing the spiritual's roots. You'll feel your choir relax into the groove, and your audience will feel the joy radiating back at them.
Who it's for
Any choir seeking accessible repertoire with genuine soul. Beginning choirs gain confidence through straightforward harmonic language and rhythmic clarity, while more advanced groups find reward in the stylistic authenticity and emotional honesty Shaw brings to the spiritual tradition.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the two-beat feel consistent and relaxed; rushing it dulls the infectious energy. Focus on laying back just slightly behind the beat rather than pushing.
- Balance the back-and-forth lines carefully so both sections remain audible. This isn't about volume but clarity of text and intention.
- Let the rhythmic accompaniment breathe. The instrumental parts should feel conversational with the choir, not mechanical.
- Consider the full three-minute-plus duration when blocking your staging. Space lets the joy of the spiritual breathe.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a program brightener in the second half of a concert, especially alongside other sacred or inspirational work. Its accessibility makes it an excellent choice for spring festivals or community performances where you want the audience leaving with a smile.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady two-beat pulse in a Gospel-influenced style
- Trading lines between sections (call-and-response phrasing)
- Blending straightforward harmonic progressions with rhythmic independence
- Singing through extended duration (3:40) with consistent energy
- Interpreting spiritual tradition with contemporary arranging sensibility