When Christmas Comes to Town (from The Polar Express): SATB Choral Octavo
From The Polar Express
Words and music by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri / arr. Alan Billingsley
Level: Moderate
Item: 00-PO-0002970
$2.95
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
The animated film The Polar Express was released just in time for the 2004 holiday season. It featured one of the most enjoyable and varied musical scores of any recent movie release. The story within the movie is truly an affirmation of the spirit of human kindness and the spirit of giving. It reminds us to keep the spirit of the holidays with us all year round, no matter what holiday we celebrate. Alan Billingsley has captured all the beauty of the original movie score in this delightful choral setting.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, When Christmas Comes to Town (from The Polar Express): SATB Choral Octavo 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:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0002970
More about this title
About the Composer: Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard is a composer and producer who has shaped popular music across film, television, and recording for decades. His work in motion picture scoring demonstrates a gift for melody that serves narrative without overwhelming it, creating music that audiences remember long after leaving the theater.
Why we love this
Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the film's warmth while keeping the vocal writing accessible for a Grade 3 ensemble. The moderate difficulty level means your singers can focus on conveying genuine emotion rather than wrestling with technical demands, making this a standout choice for holiday programs where storytelling matters as much as vocal polish.
What to expect
Warm and earnest. The melody is singable and memorable, designed to lodge itself in singers' hearts the way it does in listeners' ears. There's an openness to the harmony that feels generous and hopeful, capturing that particular magic of holiday storytelling without sentimentality.
Who it's for
Choirs in Grades 3-6 who want to program something recognizable and emotionally resonant without overextending their singers. Directors looking for secular holiday repertoire that young performers and audiences alike will connect with immediately.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the legit singing style. This piece rewards clean vowels and sustained phrasing over rhythmic precision, so spend rehearsal time on vowel consistency across all four parts rather than drilling notes.
- Balance the parts carefully during the verse sections. The melody may shift between voices, and clarity comes from each section understanding when they're carrying the line versus providing harmonic support.
- Consider the recorded accompaniment as a rehearsal tool first, a performance tool second. Use it early to establish tempos and harmonic context, then pull it back in final rehearsals to let your singers hear each other and develop blend.
- Shape the dynamic arc thoughtfully. The piece builds naturally, but resist the urge to arrive at fortissimo too early. Save your fullest sound for the final statements where the message lands hardest.
How to use it
Place this as a centerpiece in a holiday concert, either opening the second half or anchoring a winter-themed set. Its recognizable source and moderate difficulty make it ideal for mixed-ability choirs, and the 16-page octavo length works well in a program that balances multiple styles and eras.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining legit vocal production across a full phrase
- Tracking melody movement between voice parts
- Balancing harmonic blend in major key progressions
- Interpreting dynamic contrast to shape musical meaning
- Singing with emotional intention without oversinging