The Polar Express, Selections from: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Featuring: The Polar Express / When Christmas Comes to Town / Hot Chocolate / Believe / Spirit of the Season
By Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0002365
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Description
From the blockbuster Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard film score, this medley is set for your young band. The favorite titles included in this winter medley include: "The Polar Express," "When Christmas Comes to Town," "Hot Chocolate," "Believe" and "Spirit of the Season." Don't miss "Selections from The Polar Express" -- great film music for your winter concert. (5:13)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Polar Express, Selections from: Concert Band 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:
Pop Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
334
SKU:
00-PK-0002365
More about this title
About the Composer: Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard is a Grammy-winning composer and producer whose film scores have shaped the sound of contemporary cinema. Beyond The Polar Express, his work spans blockbuster franchises and intimate character-driven narratives, consistently balancing orchestral sophistication with accessibility for younger performers and audiences alike.
Why we love this
Michael Story's arrangement captures the warmth and nostalgia of Ballard's score while keeping the demands appropriate for Grade 2 bands. The medley structure lets you program recognizable, beloved melodies without overwhelming younger musicians, and the five-minute runtime fits perfectly into winter concert pacing without requiring extensive rehearsal time.
What to expect
Nostalgic, cinematic, and infused with the magic of a beloved holiday film. The arrangement captures Ballard's sweeping melodic lines and warm orchestration, translating them into bright, engaging colors that feel celebratory without becoming saccharine.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands looking for accessible yet musically rewarding film music that engages both players and audiences. Directors programming winter or holiday concerts will find this medley offers immediate recognition value while remaining technically achievable for developing musicians.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the legato character in 'When Christmas Comes to Town' to bring out the emotional center of the arrangement.
- Balance the layered instrumentation during 'Hot Chocolate' so the rhythmic accompaniment doesn't overshadow the melodic sections.
- Shape the dynamic arc through each title as a mini-suite rather than five separate pieces; use the transitions to maintain forward momentum.
- Give yourself time in sectional rehearsals to lock in rhythmic precision during the syncopated figures in 'Believe,' which often trip up younger ensembles.
How to use it
Build your winter concert around this medley as a centerpiece selection, pairing it with a contrasting march or traditional holiday arrangement to create variety. The five-minute duration gives you flexibility in concert pacing and allows adequate time for other selections without overloading rehearsal demands.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing across longer melodic lines within a medley structure
- Balance and blend in layered harmonic textures
- Articulation clarity in syncopated rhythmic figures
- Dynamic shaping and expression within accessible ranges
- Ensemble cohesion when navigating transitions between distinct thematic sections