Where Beauty Lives (Libra)

This is a lyrical piano ballad in waltz time for intermediate pianists by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. The melody is made almost entirely of ascending and descending pentascales (5-note scales) on white keys. The accompaniment for left hand requires a hand span primarily of melodic octaves with an occasional melodic tenth. The ternary form features a middle section with surprising harmonies and a deceptive cadence. Middle and high school students will find this piece both accessible and rewarding.

Falling Leaves is an intermediate level lyrical contemporary solo that is part of the Shades of You and Impressions songbooks. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

For many people, November is a month for giving thanks. This intermediate piece by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM, is a contemporary rendering of a hymn-like melody. November symbolizes a musical token of gratitude for family and friends who have been with us through good times and bad and with whom we love to spend our time. The ternary form offers an uplifting first section followed by a middle theme of more serious and reflective implication. The middle theme modulates into a return of the first in a new key, representing a triumphant overcoming of life’s struggles with the help of those we hold dear.

Dark Waters, composed by Jennifer Eklund, is a haunting lyrical waltz for early intermediates and up.

Misty Morning is a Satie-esque, reflective solo composed by Jennifer Eklund. Ideal for early intermediates of all ages, this piece offers a great opportunity to introduce students to the concept of rubato. This piece is part of the Shades of You songbook.

Autumn Leaves, composed by Sara Tomlinson, is a spirited lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Creation Collage songbook.

Wind Whirls, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate level showcase solo. Its passages divided between the hands give it a showy effect, with some interesting harmonies.

October is an intermediate new age piece by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. The constantly moving triplet figures in both hands are meant to evoke the swirling motion of colorful autumn leaves blowing about in the breeze. Rather than centering on a traditional melodic line, October allows students to create a mood or effect by experimenting with dynamic inflection and rubato to vary each performance. Dynamic indications in the score are merely suggestions – performers are meant to make this free-flowing piece their own.

Something Borrowed, composed by Amanda W. Smith, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Set Sail songbook.

Hope, composed by Rick Robertson, is a lyrical solo for intermediates with a mature sound. It is a “song without words” in a loose rondo form. It is suitable for recitals and worship services.

Celestial Cloud, by Rick Robertson, is and ambient, new age style space piece that has lots of potential as a pupil saver. Highly pattern-based in natured this piece will bring guaranteed success to early intermediates of all ages.

Intermezzo in B, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level solo in a neo-Romantic lyrical style. It is very effective in performance, and makes an excellent repertoire choice for a maturing pianist. It gives the growing performer experience in a less-frequently encountered key, and could be used as wedding or service music as well.

From My Heart to Yours is a jubilant lyrical solo composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas that will delight intermediates of all ages. This piece is part of the Journeys songbook.

Sun Suite, by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick, is a set of three contemporary lyrical solos celebrating the beauty of the sun at different points of the day. This set is ideal for intermediates of all ages and will function well as a set or as separate showcase solos.

In the Groove is a fun-filled collection of thirteen showcase solos composed by Lisa Frederick. Ideally suited for early intermediates and beyond, these engaging pieces cover a wide variety of genres including jazz, blues, lyrical, boogie-woogie, and more!

Firelight Dreams, composed by Amanda W. Smith, is a haunting lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Set Sail songbook.

Another Day, composed by Amanda W. Smith, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Set Sail songbook.

Morning Stretch is a lyrical contemporary arrangement of Grieg’s Morning Theme and is part of the Dog Days songbook. Music by Jennifer Eklund.