Believe (from The Polar Express): Lead Sheet / Fake Book

Groban's signature arrangement of this Oscar-nominated track carries genuine warmth without sentimentality, making it a refreshing alternative to the countless holiday vocal standards. The lead sheet format lets your soloists inhabit the melody in their own voice while the harmonic foundation remains rock solid for accompanists at various skill levels.

Intimate yet expansive, built on quiet conviction rather than bombast. The melody unfolds with a simplicity that masks deeper emotional architecture, creating space for the performer's interpretation to shine without ever losing its anchor in genuine sincerity.

Solo vocalists and pianists seeking a contemporary holiday selection that sits comfortably alongside traditional fare. Works equally well for instrumental ensembles treating the lead sheet melody as a focal point.

• Build the phrase arc deliberately; this song lives in the space between restraint and conviction, so resist the urge to oversell emotionally in the opening.
• Anchor the accompaniment in the lower register to support the vocal line's natural tendency toward brightness and lift the harmonic color beyond standard holiday fare.
• Shape dynamic contrasts in the B section rather than adding tempo changes; the song's power emerges from sustained intensity and textural shifts.

Position this as a bridge between classical and contemporary holiday repertoire within a December concert, or feature it as a solo moment in a larger vocal showcase. Its one-page format makes it ideal for ensemble arrangements or as a flexible solo vehicle without substantial rehearsal overhead.

• Phrasing long melodic lines with lyrical shape
• Accompanying a vocal soloist with harmonic awareness and textural sensitivity
• Interpreting lead sheet notation into performance choices
• Balancing restraint and expression in a contemporary art song