When You Believe (from The Prince Of Egypt) (arr. John Leavitt): Choral Instrumental Pak

John Leavitt's arrangement honors the song's emotional weight while opening it up for full ensemble and instrumental color. The inclusion of a Hebrew prayer text in the middle section gives your singers a meaningful cultural moment to inhabit rather than simply moving through a pop song arrangement. This is the kind of programming choice that reminds students why music matters beyond the notes on the page.

A moment of hope built on steady conviction. The melody sits in a comfortable range and invites singers to phrase generously while the strings and percussion create a sense of gentle momentum that never rushes. There's intimacy in the verses and grandeur in the refrain, with the Hebrew section offering a bridge between personal faith and collective memory.

Any choral program seeking a song with genuine emotional depth and contemporary appeal. This arrangement works equally well for concert choirs, show choirs wanting a pop crossover moment, or community ensembles looking to expand beyond traditional repertoire into film music.

• Balance the choir's tone with the strings so neither overwhelms the other; the arrangement succeeds when they feel like equal partners in telling the story.
• Shape the Hebrew prayer section with particular care to its unfamiliar text and melody. Spend rehearsal time on pronunciation and emotional intention so singers own the moment rather than merely reading through it.
• Use the dynamic arc of the arrangement to build momentum toward the final statement of the main melody. Leavitt's writing gives you plenty of tools here; make sure your singers understand where the music is heading.
• If using recorded accompaniment, let singers hear it in context before rehearsing; knowing the instrumental texture helps them find their place in the larger sound world.

This works beautifully in a program exploring themes of resilience, faith, or transformation. It can anchor a spring or end-of-year concert, or serve as a powerful closing number that leaves audiences emotionally satisfied. Consider pairing it with other Schwartz compositions or contemporary film music to create a themed set.

• Phrasing sustained melodies across longer phrases without losing breath support
• Blending choir with live or recorded instrumental accompaniment
• Interpreting unfamiliar text (Hebrew) with musicality and cultural respect
• Balancing ensemble sound across dynamic changes and textural shifts
• Understanding how harmonic accompaniment supports melodic storytelling