Believe (from The Polar Express) (arr. Cristi Cary Miller): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Cristi Cary Miller's arrangement captures the yearning quality of Groban's original performance while making it accessible for developing singers. The 2-part voicing allows directors to include singers at different skill levels without sacrificing the song's emotional arc, and the familiar melody ensures immediate audience connection during holiday concerts.

A quiet moment of wonder and reflection amid the busyness of the season. The arrangement honors the song's intimate quality while building to moments of genuine emotional power, leaving singers and listeners with a sense of hope and sincerity rather than holiday rush.

Any choir looking to add meaningful contemporary holiday music to their program. This works equally well for middle school ensembles building their choral experience and adult community choirs seeking material that connects emotionally with audiences.

• Shape the opening phrases with careful attention to breath placement; the lyrical quality depends on singing through the natural musical phrases rather than at written line breaks.
• Balance Part 1 and Part 2 so that neither dominates. This song works best when both lines feel equally important and blend into a cohesive whole.
• Let the accompaniment breathe. Resist the urge to rush; the arrangement has room for slight rubato in reflective moments.
• Emphasize the text clarity in the key moments. Words like 'believe' deserve precise articulation without sounding mechanical.

Position this as a centerpiece moment in your holiday concert, perhaps after more upbeat selections, to shift the emotional landscape. The reflective nature pairs well with traditional holiday fare, creating programming variety that keeps audiences engaged throughout the concert.

• Singing legit, sustained lines over contemporary harmonic accompaniment
• Balancing two-part voicing when both lines carry equal musical interest
• Emotional interpretation of text in pop and film music contexts
• Controlling breath in longer phrases without audible gasps
• Blending with partners while maintaining individual line clarity