A Cold Winter’s Night

Drifting, composed by Lisa Shoemaker, is a moody, minor-key meandering piece that provides intermediates ample opportunity to develop smooth, flowing left hand triplet patterns, as well as gain experience with the una corda pedal.

This lovely Catalán carol was made popular by the cellist Pablo Casals. Its haunting melody will being something fresh to any Christmas program. This arrangement for intermediates by Rick Robertson is part of the Christmas Memories songbook.

Vanished is a haunting, minor key, contemporary lyrical piano solo for intermediates. Music by Jennifer Eklund and part of the New Horizons songbook.

A modern lyrical spin on the Winter concerto theme from Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” arranged by Jennifer Eklund. This intermediate solo provides ample opportunity to work on interpretation, rubato, and lyrical artistry.

Fading into Twilight is a mysterious, minor key, contemporary lyrical solo that will be a hit with intermediates of all ages. Part of the Dreamweaver songbook. This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

December is a contemplative lyrical intermediate piano solo by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. As with all music, imagery or stories may come to mind when performing or hearing the piece. For the composer, it brings to mind a nighttime journey to Bethlehem by a woman great with child and her husband. This hand-friendly piece will delight intermediates of all ages!

In a Canoe, composed by Rick Robertson, is a lower-intermediate level lyrical solo. Its swaying rhythm suggests the rowing of the oarsman (or oarswoman).

Winter Reverie is a haunting, minor key, contemporary lyrical piano solo for intermediates that is part of the New Horizons songbook. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Calm, composed by Jenny Walker, is a peaceful meditative solo for intermediates. The left hand provides a gentle, rocking accompaniment, much of which is in the treble clef. The mood is fairly constant throughout and there is room for some rubato when the left hand reach increases towards the middle of the work.

Spring Has Sprung, composed by Jennifer Eklund, is an elegant contemporary lyrical solo for intermediates and up.

Daydream, composed by Jenny Walker, is an elegant contemporary lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Nuances songbook.

Pas de deux, from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, abridged and arranged as a lyrical intermediate piano solo by Jennifer Eklund.

Winter Walk by Jane Tate is a peaceful solo that would be suited to the early to middle intermediate player of any age. It will be a charming addition to any recital or performance opportunity.

March of the Toy Soldiers from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, stylishly arranged as a sassy jazzy romp for intermediate piano by Jennifer Eklund. This piece is part of the Yuletide Treasures songbook.

Endearing Irish Charms, arranged by Jennifer Eklund, is a medley of two familiar Irish tunes “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” This intermediate solo provides ample opportunity to work on interpretation, rubato, and lyrical artistry.

When Irish Eyes are Smiling in a contemporary lyrical style ideal for intermediates of all ages. Arranged by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Dreamweaver songbook.

Something More is an uplifting contemporary lyrical solo for intermediates by British composer Joanne Griffiths.

This book presents strategies for learning to play polyrhythms, from the most common ones, such as two against three, up through four against five. It contains rhythm exercises, improvisation suggestions, and thirteen pieces based on polyrhythms. Once you’ve worked with the book, you might develop intense cravings for more polyrhythms, and may even be inspired to compose polyrhythmic pieces of your own.