Selections from The Polar Express: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Audrey Snyder / As performed by Alan Silvestri / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00342399
$80.00
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Description
Featuring a tuneful score by Alan Silvestri and stunning visual effects, this enchanting holiday movie has become a yearly favorite. This fast-paced and carefully scored medley can be used with band alone, or with optional chorus for a truly spectacular holiday concert event. Includes: "Believe, Hot Chocolate, The Polar Express", and "Spirit of the Season". Dur: 6:30
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00342399
More about this title
About the Artist: Audrey Snyder
Audrey Snyder has built a reputation as one of the most prolific and reliable arrangers for school ensembles across America. Her work spans concert band, jazz band, choir, and mixed instrumentation, consistently delivering music that is both musically substantive and immediately engaging for student performers.
Snyder's arrangements are known for respecting the integrity of original compositions while making them accessible to developing musicians. She understands the practical demands of school music programs: her scores balance clarity with sophistication, allowing conductors to build meaningful performances without requiring years of rehearsal time.
Why we love this
Murtha's medley captures the emotional warmth of Silvestri's score without oversimplifying it. The optional chorus integration creates a genuine programming advantage; you can scale this from a straight band feature to a full collaborative moment that justifies the rehearsal investment across both ensembles.
What to expect
Nostalgic and celebratory. The medley moves through moments of quiet wonder (the title track's opening) and genuine joy (the 'Hot Chocolate' section), landing in a full ensemble finale that feels earned rather than tacked on. This is music that invites audiences to remember why they loved the film.
Who it's for
Grade 3 concert bands seeking a substantial holiday centerpiece that doesn't require months of rehearsal. Choruses looking to collaborate with instrumental ensembles will find this medley a natural fit, offering text and melody that complement rather than compete with the band parts.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melodic material between woodwinds and brass carefully in 'Believe.' The tune sits naturally in both sections, so clarity comes from controlled dynamics and precise articulation rather than volume.
- 'Hot Chocolate' thrives on rhythmic precision from the low brass and percussion. Establish a steady pulse early in rehearsals; this section will feel sluggish if the foundation wavers.
- The transition into 'The Polar Express' needs deliberate attention. Mark the exact tempo change and have students lock in with a full ensemble count or conductor cue to avoid dragging.
- If including chorus, schedule a joint rehearsal at least two weeks before performance. The independence required from the band when voices enter demands familiarity with how the two parts interact.
How to use it
Place this as your closing piece on a winter concert. The 6:30 duration and emotional arc make it substantial enough to anchor a first half, or use it as a finale that sends the audience out on a high. If your chorus participates, this becomes a program centerpiece that demonstrates cross-ensemble collaboration.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing independent melodic lines across multiple sections
- Executing tempo changes and transitions under conductor direction
- Sustaining long phrase lines with consistent air support
- Responding to dynamic shaping that serves emotional content rather than technical display