Hot Chocolate (from The Polar Express): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Words and music by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri / arr. Mike Lewis
Grade: 1 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0004438
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Description
From the movie The Polar Express, "Hot Chocolate" is hot stuff. Based on the original recording, this one has been adapted for the young player by arranger Mike Lewis. No solos, modest ranges and a driving bass line make it move along. Mike offers two endings to make this chart effective all year round: one with the hip "Jingle Bells" quote and one without. This is a fun swinger loaded with energy. Check it out! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud. (2:30)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Hot Chocolate (from The Polar Express): Jazz Ensemble 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:
First Year Charts for Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
78
SKU:
00-PK-0004438
More about this title
About the Composer: Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard is a prolific composer and songwriter whose work spans film, television, and popular music. His collaborations with Alan Silvestri on The Polar Express created some of the most recognizable holiday music of the 21st century, blending orchestral sophistication with accessibility that resonates across audiences of all ages.
Ballard's compositions for young ensembles demonstrate his gift for writing music that sounds professional and engaging without requiring advanced technical skills. His approach to adapting film material for educational settings emphasizes clarity, rhythmic drive, and genuine musical substance.
Why we love this
Mike Lewis has crafted an arrangement that captures the infectious energy of the original while staying completely playable for Grade 1 ensembles. The driving bass line carries the whole chart forward, and the option between two endings gives you the flexibility to program this effectively throughout your entire season. It's genuinely fun to play without compromising musicality.
What to expect
This arrangement swings with uncomplicated joy. The melody sits comfortably in players' ranges, leaving their energy free for phrasing and feel rather than technical struggle. There's a warmth and forward momentum that makes even early rehearsals feel like a real jazz performance.
Who it's for
First-year jazz ensemble students and young jazz programs looking for music that builds confidence and delivers immediate gratification. Grade 1 difficulty means younger or less experienced players can sound polished while learning fundamental jazz vocabulary.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the tempo steady and energetic; the swing feel depends on locked rhythmic precision from the rhythm section, so lock in on the bass line and drums before worrying about the melody.
- Balance the sections carefully so the bass line stays audible and propels the ensemble rather than disappearing beneath the horns.
- Rehearse the "Jingle Bells" quote separately if you're using that ending; make sure the transition feels intentional, not accidental.
- Encourage the ensemble to listen to the original film recording to absorb the character and phrasing, then adapt it to what works for your players' abilities.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece of a winter concert, pairing it with contrasting ballads or Latin-tinged pieces for variety. The two endings give you genuine programming flexibility: use the "Jingle Bells" version for concerts where you want that playful callback, or choose the cleaner ending for programs balancing holiday and non-holiday repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Swing feel and jazz articulation
- Listening to and balancing the rhythm section
- Reading lead sheets and chord symbols
- Phrasing over a steady harmonic groove
- Ensemble cohesion in a jazz context