Believe (from The Polar Express): String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Words and music by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 1
Item: 00-PK-0002635
$55.00
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Description
This beautiful ballad from The Polar Express makes a wonderful addition to your performance library. Even though the film's title suggests a sole relation to the holiday season, "Believe" will be a cherished addition to any program throughout the year. Combine this with "Rockin' on Top of the World" and you'll have a diverse suite for any program. (2:26)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Believe (from The Polar Express): String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Beginning String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
32
SKU:
00-PK-0002635
More about this title
About the Composer: Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard is a Grammy-winning composer and producer whose work spans film, television, and popular music. His gift for crafting emotionally resonant melodies has made him a sought-after voice in entertainment, with a particular talent for creating moments that resonate across generational lines.
Ballard's film work demonstrates a deep understanding of how orchestral writing can enhance narrative storytelling. His collaboration with composer Alan Silvestri on The Polar Express resulted in some of the film's most memorable musical moments, including this enduring ballad that has become a standard in holiday programming.
Why we love this
This Grade 1 arrangement captures the emotional core of the film's most poignant moment without overwhelming beginning string players. Michael Story's orchestration distributes the melody and harmonic support across the ensemble in a way that builds confidence while maintaining the song's genuine warmth, making it accessible yet never feeling compromised.
What to expect
Quiet hope and gentle wonder. The melody unfolds with simplicity that feels earned rather than oversimplified, supported by warm harmonic movement that suggests the comfort of belief itself. There's a quality of reaching upward that makes this piece resonate far beyond its technical demands.
Who it's for
Beginning string orchestras seeking repertoire that combines accessibility with genuine musical substance. This works equally well for middle school ensembles building foundational skills and for community or non-traditional orchestras where players span ability levels but share commitment to making something meaningful together.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening phrases with gentle dynamic swells rather than playing straight through; even at this grade level, young players can find the natural breathing points in the melody.
- Balance the divisi sections carefully so that sustained harmonic voices support but never overshadow the principal line, creating depth without muddiness.
- Keep the tempo steady and unhurried; this piece earns its power through sincerity, not speed.
How to use it
Program this as a reflective centerpiece in a concert featuring diverse styles, or pair it with "Rockin' on Top of the World" as the description suggests to create a complete suite that showcases your orchestra's range. It works beautifully in winter concerts but the universal theme of belief makes it equally fitting for spring or end-of-year performances.
Skills your students will build
- Playing sustained melodic lines with consistent tone quality
- Balancing melody and accompaniment voices within the ensemble
- Responding to dynamic shaping and phrase direction
- Ensemble intonation with divisi string parts
- Maintaining steady tempo through harmonic movement