Believe (Winter Olympics 2010): Cello

This arrangement captures the triumphant spirit of Olympic competition in a way that feels both cinematic and genuinely orchestral. Jerry Brubaker's adaptation respects Shore's original conception while giving full orchestra players meaningful work at a very approachable Grade 3 level, making it a rare piece that doesn't sacrifice musical substance for accessibility.

A surge of optimism and determination. The piece opens with confidence and builds toward moments of genuine grandeur, evoking the discipline and aspiration of elite athletes. Even at Grade 3, the orchestral colors create a formal, celebratory atmosphere suited to special occasions.

Orchestra directors seeking a concert opener or closer that energizes an audience without requiring advanced technical facility. This works equally well for middle school, high school, and community orchestras that want to program something contemporary and immediately recognizable.

• Shape the opening with clear articulation in the winds and strings; the confidence of this fanfare depends on crisp attacks and unified releases.
• Balance the brass section carefully so that the full ensemble sound feels powerful rather than overpowering. Younger players sometimes push too hard in climactic moments.
• Sustain the grandiose character throughout by maintaining steady tempos; rushing small passages will diminish the piece's ceremonial weight.
• Use the conductor's score to track all sections during rehearsal so you can identify which parts carry the melodic line at any given moment and ensure proper balance.

Open a winter concert with this fanfare to set an elevated tone immediately, or use it as a closing piece to leave the audience on a high note. It works particularly well on programs that include other contemporary film or television music, or on graduation and ceremonial concerts where you want to acknowledge student achievement with something both accessible and substantial.

• Balancing independent melodic lines across multiple sections
• Reading and executing dynamic contrasts in a full ensemble setting
• Sustaining tone quality and intonation during long-held chords
• Responding to a conductor's cues in a complex orchestral texture
• Maintaining consistent articulation across an entire section