Keepin’ It Light

Hold On is a lyrical pop solo ideal for intermediate pianists of any age. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Dreamweaver songbook.

No Worries is an uplifting lyrical solo composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas that will delight intermediates of all ages. This piece is part of the Journeys songbook.

January is a high-energy showcase solo with an uplifting principle theme, dramatic middle section, and flashy ending. This is one of a set of 12 month-titled pieces by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM.

Winds of Change is a collection of twelve showcase solos composed by Ryan Chesser. These showcase solos are ideal for intermediates of all ages.

Love Is the Journey, is an uplifting lyrical solo composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas for intermediates. This pop-style solo includes lyrics and chord symbols providing a great opportunity for students to practice accompanying themselves as they sing along. This piece is part of the Sky Castles songbook.

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.

Creation Collage is a collection of ten season-themed character pieces by Sara Tomlinson. This book of contemporary, showcase-style works will delight intermediates of all ages.

Cloudy Day, composed by Rick Robertson is a wistful, elegant solo ideal for late-elementary through early intermediate pianists of all ages.

Scenic Route is a contemporary lyrical solo ideal for intermediates of all ages composed by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Shades of You songbook.

Bittersweet is a dramatic contemporary lyrical solo composed by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick. This minor-key showcase piece will delight late-intermediates of all ages!

Journeys is an engaging collection of twelve contemporary solos by Lisa Donovan Lukas featuring an array of tonal centers and styles. These selections are ideal showcase pieces for intermediates of all ages.

Enjoy the Ride is a delightful collection of intermediate solos by Lisa Donovan Lukas featuring a variety of tonal centers and styles. These eleven selections are ideal for intermediates of all ages.

Daytime Dreaming’ is a light, cheerful solo by Chrisanne Nahum in the key of C Major. This graceful, lilting waltz is ideal for intermediates of all ages.

Circle of Friends, by Rick Robertson, is a two-volume collection containing a total of 24 character pieces for piano in each of the major and minor keys (minus enharmonic equivalents), in a manner similar to the Prelude sets by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and the like. The sequence as published is arranged in a rough order of difficulty, allowing for convenience in page turns here and there.

The title alludes as well to the familiar “Circle of Keys’. As for “friends”, each piece is dedicated to a close friend, colleague, or student. A few pieces in Volume One are at the early intermediate level, while Volume Two is solidly at the intermediate level with a steady trajectory of more demanding musical concepts.

Recordings for the Songs I Love to Play Volume 2 songbook by Jennifer Eklund.

Rhapsodies and Reveries Volume Two features eleven contemporary lyrical solos for intermediate pianists of all ages composed by Chrissy Ricker. Inspired by the sights and sounds of nature, these solos range in style from quiet and reflective to powerful and dramatic.

End Game is a spooky and fun piano solo that is also part of the Dog Days Songbook. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

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.