I Can Only Imagine — Orchestra, Choir & Piano Sheet Music
The transcendent MercyMe anthem, arranged for full orchestra and SATB choir by Paul Lorenz — performance-ready for concert hall, cathedral, and ceremony
Edition facts
I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard, Pete Kipley and Phil Wickham, arranged by Paul Lorenz for SATB choir and orchestra: full score (28 pages) and separate parts (35 pages), delivered as a PDF (A4) for instant download, €59.90.
- Instrumentation
- Flute, Bassoon, Saxophone · Horn, Trumpet, Trombone (2) · Piano · Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double bass
- Choir
- SATB
- Pages
- 63 pages — full score (28) + separate parts (35)
- Edition
- 2019
- Format
- PDF, A4, instant download
Read from the PDF you download.
Written in ten minutes on a tour bus while Bart Millard was still carrying the weight of his father’s death, “I Can Only Imagine” became the most-played Christian song in radio history — and in the hands of a full orchestra and choir, it transcends genre entirely. The question Millard asked — what will it feel like to stand before heaven? — is answered differently when sixty musicians and a choir breathe it to life together. No recording has ever fully captured what that moment becomes in a live hall.
This performance-ready edition, arranged by Paul Lorenz, delivers every dimension that moment demands. From the opening string introduction to the final choral climax, every element has been engraved to MOLA standards — 8.5 mm staves, 600 DPI resolution, rehearsal marks at every major section, measure numbers on every line — so your orchestra and choir can focus entirely on the music, not the manuscript. Whether you are programming a concert, a memorial service, a wedding ceremony, or a liturgical celebration, this is the edition that will be equal to the occasion.
Choose your “I Can Only Imagine” edition
Orchestra, Choir & Piano
€59.90SATB choir and orchestra · 63 pages: score + parts · PDF (A4)
Every part also for other instruments – included ↓
The complete orchestral edition for conductors who need every part on the stand at the first rehearsal. Full conductor’s score plus individually extracted parts for every section — strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, piano, and all four SATB choral voices. Licensed for performances by the purchasing ensemble.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed edition
SATB Choir & Piano / Vocal / Guitar
from €39.90
“I Can Only Imagine” is also published in this scoring — with its own score preview and full details on the edition page.
View this edition →Parts for your instrumentation
Every instrumental part of this edition is also available for other instruments – included in the price. Transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing.
| Original part | Also available for |
|---|---|
| Flute | Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Viola |
| Alto saxophone in E♭ | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Horn in F, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Bassoon | Cello, Double bass |
| Horn in F | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Trumpet in B♭ | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Viola |
| Trombone I | Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Trombone II | Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Violin I | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Viola |
| Violin II | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, English horn in F, Viola |
| Viola | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Cello |
| Cello | Bassoon, Double bass |
Buy. After your purchase you receive your personal link to the Part Configurator by e-mail.
Choose part and instrument. For example the Flute part as Alto saxophone in E♭.
Download the PDF. The first time a part is requested it takes about a minute to set; after that it is ready at once – with your name as the license notice.
How the Part Configurator works →Need a different instrumentation? After your purchase you can send Paul Lorenz a request.
Quality in detail
- Concert-Grade Engraving: MOLA-standard 8.5 mm staves and 600 DPI resolution — every articulation and dynamic marking reads clearly from the stand at any distance.
- Clearly Licensed for Your Ensemble: Your purchase licenses this edition for performances by your ensemble, with print rights for every player and singer. The reporting of public performances to your PRO (ASCAP/BMI/PRS or GEMA/AKM/SUISA) remains with the organiser as usual.
- Rehearsal-Optimized Score: Alphanumeric rehearsal marks at every major section, measure numbers on every system, and page turns designed for live podium use. Three rehearsals is all you need.
- 600 DPI Print Quality: Crystal-clear at any size from A4 to A3. Equally legible on iPad and tablet for modern stand-free performance.
- Complete Part Extraction: Every orchestral, keyboard, and choral part individually extracted and proofread. No missing pages, no surprises at the first desk read.
- Bespoke Customization Available: Every instrumental part is also available for other instruments — the flute part for alto saxophone, for example — through the Part Configurator included with your purchase. Need a different key for your soloists? Paul Lorenz Music offers personal arrangement edits on request — a capability unique in the industry.
I Can Only Imagine sheet music at a glance
| Song | I Can Only Imagine — MercyMe (Bart Millard, Pete Kipley, Phil Wickham); the most-played Christian song in radio history |
| Arrangement | Full orchestra with SATB choir and piano |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | Full A3 conductor’s score plus every orchestral, choral, keyboard, and percussion part individually extracted |
| Difficulty | Grade IV — intermediate to professional ensembles |
| Format | High-resolution PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready |
| Licensing | Licensed arrangement; print rights for your ensemble included — public performances reported to your PRO (ASCAP/BMI/PRS or GEMA/AKM/SUISA) by the organiser as usual |
| Price | €59.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
Program this as the emotional summit of a sacred or ceremonial concert, where full orchestra and choir can open the piece up in a way no recording captures. This edition is written for:
- Concert orchestras and choirs closing a programme on a moment of stillness
- Cathedral and church ensembles for Easter, memorial, and liturgical services
- Wedding and ceremony musicians who need concert-grade forces
- Dedicated amateur orchestras with an experienced choir
Need a transposition or a different voicing? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The full A3 conductor’s score
- All orchestral, keyboard, percussion, and four SATB choral parts, individually extracted and proofread
- High-resolution PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming I Can Only Imagine
This is a piece to place at the very end — the moment the hall falls silent. Let the string introduction settle the room, build patiently through the choral entries, and hold the final climax without rushing its resolution. It pairs naturally with sacred repertoire and reflective closers, and rewards an ensemble that can shape dynamics rather than merely play loudly. The alphanumeric rehearsal marks and cued entries make three rehearsals genuinely sufficient. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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I Can Only Imagine sheet music — frequently asked questions
What exactly is included in the download?
You receive a complete, performance-ready package: the full conductor’s score in A3 format, all individual orchestral parts (strings, woodwinds, brass, timpani and percussion, harp), the piano part, and all four SATB choral parts — licensed for performances by the purchasing ensemble. Everything is delivered as high-resolution PDFs optimized for professional printing and screen reading.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
Grade IV — Intermediate to Professional. The orchestral writing is well within reach of dedicated amateur orchestras and entirely suitable for professional ensembles. The SATB choral parts are accessible to experienced choirs with solid intonation and sight-reading ability.
Do I need a performance license?
Your purchase includes the licence for performances by the purchasing ensemble (your orchestra and choir) at concerts and services, plus print rights to copy and rehearse the score. As usual, the public performance of this copyrighted work is reported to the responsible performing-rights society — GEMA in Germany, AKM in Austria, SUISA in Switzerland (ASCAP/BMI/PRS elsewhere) — by the organiser or ensemble; venues with blanket agreements often handle this themselves, but the responsibility remains with the organiser. For commercial recordings or broadcast use, please contact us directly.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization services — a capability unique in the industry. Whether you need alternative instrumentation, transpositions, or adjustments to suit your specific roster, we can tailor this arrangement to your exact requirements. Contact us directly to discuss your needs.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the digital nature of our products, we cannot offer refunds once the download has been accessed. We encourage you to review the score preview carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Can I play the Flute part on Alto saxophone in E♭?
Yes. The Part Configurator is included in the price: the Flute part is also available for Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭ and Trumpet in B♭ and 4 more instruments – transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing. You receive the link by e-mail after your purchase.
Which parts are available for other instruments?
11 instrumental parts for 17 instruments in all. The overview “Parts for your instrumentation” on this page lists every original part with its instruments. For a different instrumentation you can send Paul Lorenz a request after your purchase.
Am I allowed to use the re-scored parts?
Yes. Parts from the Part Configurator belong to the edition you bought and are covered by the same license – for your ensemble, with the same rights of use. Every part carries the notice “Licensed to …” in its footer. For public performances the organiser registers the performance with the collecting society as usual (e.g. PRS, ASCAP/BMI, GEMA).