Review: Kirby keeps busy writing arrangements for Hal Leonard. Somehow, he still finds time to sing and tour with the jazz quartet, Just 4 Kicks, and do side projects, like this video, produced under the auspices of the newly inaugurated A Cappella Foundation. His delightful presence is a great complement to his years of experience as a music educator, and helps the medicine of knowledge go down as sweet as sugar. With an introduction reflecting back to his youth listening to the radio, Kirby vividly illustrates the difference between the white music he first heard, and the black radio he then fell in love with: soul! Along with the studio audience, who demonstrate each example, we are shown how to "mess with the melody," using vocal ornaments such as the appoggiatura, upper and lower neighbor et cetera. In that context, Kirby also imparts information about chord structure, picking out notes within a chord and commenting on their function, right on the fly. All along he reassures us that taking risks is what it's all about. Sixty minutes of fun!

Songlist: Giving Yourself Permission, Vocal Ornamentation, Anticipation, Lower Neighbor, Upper neighbor, Appoggiatura, Passing Tones... and much, much more!, Developing your musical point of view (you are unique), Lyrics are your friend, Word Repetition, Word Painting, Listening Skills... be a detective!

4805v | Video $12.95

Review: Traditional carols arranged by the highly-regarded Kirby Shaw as for a Renaissance choral performance. Fun and assessable for all choirs.

Songlist: Here We Come a-Caroling, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Ding Dong, Merrily On High, What Child Is This?, God Rest Ye Gentlemen, Deck The Hall, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Bring a Torch, Rejoice

9606b | Songbook $2.95 | SATB Early Music Vocal Arrangements

Review: This is what you've been waiting for! Introduce your young singers to the basics of vocal jazz with nine original songs illustrating a specific jazz concept. With educator notes included, this is an excellent introduction to an original American art form. Kirby Shaw helps kids learn more about vocal jazz in this easy-to-sing and educational collection. Each original song focuses on a different aspect of jazz singing.

Songlist: Blues, Blues , Blues, Riff City, Inflections, Blue Notes, Scat Like That, Jump, Jive and Jam!, Schoolhouse Blues, A La Mode

7423b | Songbook $8.75 | 2-Part Vocal Jazz Instructional

Review: A wordless, a cappella celebration of the human voice and the joy that comes from singing together. This joyful celebration of the human voice is wordless except for "Imba wimbo wakona" which is Swahili for "sing songs forever." A great showcase for jazz and pop groups! Exciting!

Songlist: Joy Sounds II, Joy Sounds

8025b | Sheet Music $3.50 | SATB Wordless A Cappella Arrangements

Review: These songs are so wonderful they have become part of the great American songbook. The timeless ballad "Unchained Melody" is simply breathtaking! Perfect for concert groups or pop ensembles, this is an arrangement will become a staple in your repertoire. "My Funny Valentine" is on just about everyone's top ten list of all-time classic ballads! Lush harmonies, varied textures, and a timeless melody and lyric...this is it! "Always" has been recorded by hundreds of major artists over the years, the classic simplicity of this Irving Berlin song makes it one of our most treasured standards. This expressive a cappella setting for women's voices will create a magical moment in performance! The classic Irving Berlin song "What'll I Do" was sung by Judy Garland and is a popular standard that has been performed by many great singers. This stellar a cappella arrangement is a real treat and is a perfect song for female voices.

Songlist: What'll I Do?, Always, Unchained Melody, My Funny Valentine

8011b | Sheet Music $7.95 | SSAA Female Voice Arrangements Home

Review: Billy Joel's pop hit from 1983 "The Longest Time" is a perennial favorite and evokes an even earlier time in America's pop history. From 1973, the pop hit "Shambala" by Three Dog Night is a buoyant song full of tasty harmonies and a warm gospel groove that will infuse your concert with the hopefulness and joy. This "vocals only" edition will be especially effective for choirs of all types! The intimacy and directness of a cappella singing create a special emotional atmosphere in this tender setting of the Grammy award-winning pop hit "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton. You will create a magical concert moment with the gentle guitar-style accompaniment recreated by the vocals and the heartfelt lyrics. The #1 hit from 1967 "Groovin'" by the Young Rascals in a smooth vocals-only setting perfectly captures the relaxed slow groove of the song with an easy vocal accompaniment and a irresistible solo.

Songlist: The Longest Time, Shambala, Tears In Heaven, Groovin'

8312b | Sheet Music $8.25 | SSAA Female Voice Arrangements Home

Review: The treatment of the classic spiritual 'Wade In The Water" by Kirby Shaw includes the elements that always seem to "work": a soulful solo, supportive choral parts that have their own interest, and new verses that are seamless in the story. Designed to showcase that special soloist in your choir, "Down By The Riverside" gets an upbeat a cappella treatment that allows for an optional audience sing-/snap-along. John Newton's famous and beloved hymn "Amazing Grace" is perhaps one of the most well-known song in the world. This traditional setting will surely have a profound effect on your singers and audiences. Hold on to your choir robes! The invigorating a cappella adaptation of "Sinner Man", one of the great traditional spirituals, will bring your audience to their feet!

Songlist: Amazing Grace, Wade In The Water, Sinner Man, Down By The Riverside, Plenty Good Room (On the Glory Train)

9013b | Sheet Music $9.95 | SSAA Spirituals Arrangements for Female Voices

Review: Kirby keeps busy writing arrangements for Hal Leonard. Somehow, he still finds time to sing and tour with the jazz quartet, Just 4 Kicks, and do side projects, like this video, produced under the auspices of the newly inaugurated A Cappella Foundation. His delightful presence is a great complement to his years of experience as a music educator, and helps the medicine of knowledge go down as sweet as sugar. With an introduction reflecting back to his youth listening to the radio, Kirby vividly illustrates the difference between the white music he first heard, and the black radio he then fell in love with: soul! Along with the studio audience, who demonstrate each example, we are shown how to "mess with the melody," using vocal ornaments such as the appoggiatura, upper and lower neighbor et cetera. In that context, Kirby also imparts information about chord structure, picking out notes within a chord and commenting on their function, right on the fly. All along he reassures us that taking risks is what it's all about. Sixty minutes of fun!

Songlist: Giving Yourself Permission, Vocal Ornamentation, Anticipation, Lower Neighbor, Upper neighbor, Appoggiatura, Passing Tones... and much, much more!, Developing your musical point of view (you are unique), Lyrics are your friend, Word Repetition, Word Painting, Listening Skills... be a detective!

4805dvd | DVD $16.95

Review: Here's a handy, jazzy collection that's great for both concerts and caroling! Set in an easy, swingy style, these tunes will be a big hit with your audiences.

Songlist: Christmas Jazz 1, Christmas Jazz 11, The Holly and the Ivy, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Carol of the Bells, Go, Tell It on the Mountain

2807b | Sheet Music $8.90 | SATB Vocal Jazz Arrangements

Review: Here's a handy, jazzy collection that's great for both concerts and caroling! Set in an easy, swingy style, these tunes will be a big hit with your audiences.

Songlist: Christmas Jazz 1, Christmas Jazz II, Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, The Holly and the Ivy, Silent Night, Go, Tell It on the Mountain, Carol of the Bells

2806b | Sheet Music $8.25 | SAB Vocal Jazz Christmas Arrangements

Review: Here's a handy, jazzy collection that's great for both concerts and caroling! Set in an easy, swingy style, these tunes will be a big hit with your audiences.

Songlist: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, The Holly And The Ivy, Silent Night, Carol of the Bells, Jingle Bells, We Wish You A Merry Christmas

4117b | Sheet Music $4.65 | SSA Female Voice Arrangements Home

Review: In this 2nd edition, the study of 18 basic vocal jazz inflections is made easy for the soloist or choral ensemble: basic swing, fall-off, smear, shake, doit, etc. The beginning or more experienced performer can find clear-cut desciptions and study examples for each inflection. Excellent tool for vocalists. Included: Manual and CD

Songlist: Basic Swing, Tenuto And Staccato #1, Tenuto And Staccato #2, Horizontal Accent, Vertical Accent, Breath Accent, Forte Piano Crescendo, Combnation Exercise A, Ghost, Ascending Smear, Fall-Off, Ascending Smear Fall-Off, Descending Smear Ascending Glissando, Combination Exercise B, Descending Glissando, Doit, Plop, Flip, Dip, Shake, and more.

6362c | Book & 1 CD $36.95 Vocal Jazz Instructional

Review: In this 2nd edition, the study of 18 basic vocal jazz inflections is made easy for the soloist or choral ensemble: basic swing, fall-off, smear, shake, doit, etc. The beginning or more experienced performer can find clear-cut desciptions and study examples for each inflection. Excellent tool for vocalists. Included: Manual only

Songlist: Basic Swing, Tenuto And Staccato, Horizontal Accent, Vertical Accent, Breath Accent, Forte Piano Crescendo, Combination Exercise A, Ghost, Ascending Smear, Fall-Off, Ascending Smear Fall-Off, Descending Smear Ascending Glissando, Combination Exercise B, Descending Glissando, Doit, Plop, Flip, Dip, Shake, Combination Exercise C, and more.

6362b | Book $14.95 Vocal Jazz Instructional

Review: Warming up your choir has never been this much fun! These 18 educational exercises are written in a variety of styles based on American popular music, including Swing, Rock, Jazz and Cajun. They can be sung a cappella, with added vocal or instrumental percussion, or with rhythm section accompaniment. Use these warm-ups to improve intonation, balance and blend, enunciation and vowel unification and to extend vocal ranges. The exercises can also help stimulate creativity by encouraging melodic and rhythmic improvisations, using body movement and incorporating original lyrics. With a healthy dose of affirmative lyrics and lots of room for individual and group creativity, you can't miss!

6446b | Vocal Warm Up Exercises $2.95 Choral Warm-Ups

Review: Warming up your choir has never been this much fun! 18 educational exercises written in a variety of styles based on American popular music. With a healthy dose of affirmative lyrics and lots of room for individual and group creativity, you can't miss! Includes Showtrax CD.

6447c | Book & 1 CD Warm Ups $35.00 Choral Warm-Ups

Review: Jazz is OUR MUSIC...the music of America! From New Orleans to Chi-town, from the cotton fields to the Cotton Club, you will learn about such jazz greats as Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and more! The six original songs and delightfully entertaining script in this 30-minute musical are ideal for elementary/middle school performers, and John Jacobson's choreography and staging are included right in the publication. Songs include: We Haz Jazz!, Let's Jam!, Work Song, I'm Old Enough to Sing the Blues, Up the M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I, Hobo Swing. Available: Teacher's Manual, Singer's Edition (5-Pak), Preview Cassette (full performance), Performance/Accompaniment Cassette and CD. For grades 4-8.

Songlist: Work Song, Hobo Swing, I'm Old Enough To Sing The Blues, Let's Jam, Up The M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I, We Haz Jazz

Voicing: Children

20701b | Singer Edition 5-Pak $16.95 Mini Musicals for Kids

Review: Jazz is OUR MUSIC...the music of America! From New Orleans to Chi-town, from the cotton fields to the Cotton Club, you will learn about such jazz greats as Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and more! The six original songs and delightfully entertaining script in this 30-minute musical are ideal for elementary/middle school performers, and John Jacobson's choreography and staging are included right in the publication. Available: Teacher's Manual, Singer's Edition 5-Pak, Preview Cassette (full performance), Performance/Accompaniment Cassette and CD. Performance Time: 30 minutes. For Grades 4-8.

Songlist: Work Song, Hobo Swing, I'm Old Enough To Sing The Blues, Let's Jam, Up The M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I, We Haz Jazz

Voicing: Children

20700b | Director's Edition $15.95 Mini Musicals for Kids

Review: Who put the rock into rock and roll? You and your students will find out with this original musical that's ideal for upper elementary and middle school. You'll discover how different rock styles developed through the decades and enjoy Kirby and John's unique brand of humor and musical creativity. Eight original songs, a hot professional track and John Jacobson's choreography will make this a show that everyone will enjoy! Available: Teacher's Manual (piano accompaniment, dialog, choreography and Production Guide, Singer's Edition 5Pak (vocal lines only, dialog and choreography), Preview CD (full performance only) and Performance/Accompaniment CD. Performance Time: 25 minutes. For Grades 3-8.

Songlist: D-I-S-C-O, I'm Callin' My Mother, I'm The King, It's In My Soul, We Never Cut Our Hair, We Put The Rock (Into The Rock And Roll)

Voicing: Children

20725b | Preview CD $12.95 Mini Musicals for Kids

Review: Who put the rock into rock and roll? You and your students will find out with this original musical that's ideal for upper elementary and middle school. You'll discover how different rock styles developed through the decades and enjoy Kirby and John's unique brand of humor and musical creativity. Eight original songs, a hot professional track and John Jacobson's choreography will make this a show that everyone will enjoy! Available: Teacher's Manual (piano accompaniment, dialog, choreography and Production Guide), Singer's Edition 5Pak (vocal lines only, dialog and choreography), Preview CD (full performance only) and Performance/Accompaniment CD. Performance Time: 25 minutes. For Grades 3-8.

Songlist: D-I-S-C-O, I'm Callin' My Mother, I'm The King, It's In My Soul, We Never Cut Our Hair, We Put The Rock (Into The Rock And Roll)

Voicing: Children

20723b | Director's Edition $19.95 Mini Musicals for Kids

Review: Celebrate the season with these tasty vocal jazz settings of your holiday favorites.

Songlist: The Christmas Song, Frosty The Snow Man, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Silver Bells, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

7121b | Songbook $4.95 | SAB Christmas Arrangements for 3 Parts

Review: Celebrate the season with these tasty vocal jazz settings of your holiday favorites.

Songlist: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Silver Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (with Frosty the Snow Man), The Christmas Song

9169b | Songbook $4.95 | SATB Choral Christmas Arrangements