A Cold Winter’s Night

This is a wistful waltz by Jenny Walker, with a slightly quirky melody and steady waltz-like base line. The middle section has a deeper, more self-assured feel and switches to the major key. The piece is to be played with extreme sensitivity, especially at the end when the marionette finally runs out of steam.

Cheaha Skyline, by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level lyrical piano solo, written in homage to his home state of Alabama. Cheaha Mountain, at 2,413 feet, is the highest point in Alabama.

Skye Boat Song, a traditional Scottish classic, arranged in a lyrical style for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund.

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.

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.

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

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

The Lovelorn Lobster is a song from 1897 with words by Joseph W. Herbert. Stacy Fahrion wrote her own original whimsically macabre music to the poignant lyrics about love between a lobster and a piscatorial maiden going terribly awry. A timeless, classic theme for Valentine’s Day, or any occasion!

Souvenirs is an collection of thirteen New Age style solos for intermediates composed by Rick Robertson. These elegant and evocative solos will be enjoyed by students of all ages, especially teens and adults.

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.

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.

Winter Frost, composed by Rick Robertson, is a lower-intermediate lyrical solo. Its plaintive sound makes it an interesting reflective solo. The melody is primarily in the left hand.

Peaceful Slumber, composed by Jenny Walker, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates that serves as an excellent introduction to playing in 5/8 time.

Intermezzo in E-Flat, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level lyrical Romantic solo suitable for students of all ages.

This new lyrical solo from Ryan Chesser is perfect for sipping coffee at your window on wintry days. There are lots of opportunities here for expressiveness, rubato, and plenty of sparkly, crisp notes.

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

Lamentations is suite of solos composed by Joanne Griffiths for intermediate players to explore time signature changes, comparisons between simple and compound time, minimalism, and mostly how to express mood and emotion. Breathe is a peaceful, calming minimalist piece pushing the boundaries of 3/4 time and crossing it with more than a suggestion of 6/8. For Carolyn is an uplifting piece with lilting, contrasting themes, in Rondo form. Finally, Sorrow is an expression of grief, with a “bell tolling” theme throughout. It is also minimalist, centered around A minor and changing from 3 to 4 beats in the bar and covering several octaves of the piano.

Dreamweaver is a collection of fourteen contemporary lyrical solos composed by Jennifer Eklund for intermediates and above. This book contains selections for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

UPDATE: The e-book edition of this songbook was updated in September of 2024 with new engravings and some minor corrections to courtesy accidentals and rhythmic notations.