Thankful (arr. Mark Hayes) Sheet Music Preview

Thankful (arr. Mark Hayes): SSA Choral Octavo

As performed by Josh Groban / Arranged by Mark Hayes

Item: 35-DS00299628

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 10
SKU: 35-DS00299628

More about this title

About the Artist: Josh Groban

Josh Groban built his career on a foundation of classical training combined with an instinctive gift for connecting with audiences across genres. His crossover appeal as a singer and performer has made him one of the most commercially successful artists of the 21st century, with particular strength in the holiday music space where his recordings have become seasonal staples.

For music educators, Groban's artistry models the value of vocal control, emotional maturity, and the ability to honor a song's emotional core regardless of style. His interpretive choices demonstrate how careful phrasing and dynamic restraint can create powerful moments in both intimate and large ensemble settings.

Why we love this

Mark Hayes' arrangement captures the intimate vulnerability of Groban's original while reshaping it for the three-voice voicing that many high school and community choirs actually have in the room. The harmonic language remains sophisticated without requiring divided parts throughout, making this singable yet distinctive enough to stand apart from standard holiday fare.

What to expect

Introspective and grateful rather than celebratory, with a modern sensibility that respects the hymn-like quality of the melody. The harmonic palette suggests warmth and sincerity, inviting singers to find genuine emotion in gratitude rather than performing surface-level seasonal sentiment.

Who it's for

High school and community choirs with solid vocal technique and an interest in contemporary holiday repertoire beyond traditional carols. Small professional ensembles preparing seasonal concerts will also find this arrangement accessible and effective, especially as a program closer or signature moment.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape phrases around the lyrical text rather than cadence points; Hayes' harmonic movement often pulls toward the next phrase before a traditional resolution arrives
  • Balance the recorded accompaniment low enough that the choir's blend becomes the focal point, particularly during the opening and closing sections
  • Attend to vowel consistency across all three voices during sustained harmonies, since clarity of tone matters more than power in this arrangement
  • Take time with the dynamic contrast between verses and the chorus; the arrangement's impact depends on singers understanding where the emotional weight lands

How to use it

Reserve this for a position where contemplative repertoire lands well, such as mid-program after upbeat pieces or as a penultimate selection before a final energetic arrangement. The piece also works effectively as a standalone moment in a non-holiday concert that explores themes of reflection and grace.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining pure vowels across moving harmonic changes
  • Dynamic control and phrase shaping within a narrow dynamic range
  • Blending three independent melodic lines while maintaining individual voice clarity
  • Interpreting contemporary arrangements that draw from classical harmonic language

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