A Cold Winter’s Night

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.

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.

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.

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

Longing for Spring, composed by Sara Tomlinson, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Creation Collage songbook.

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

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!

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.

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.

Be Yourself is a contemporary lyrical solo by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This uplifting selection is ideal for intermediates of all ages.

Brand New Day is a collection of twelve elegant intermediate and late-intermediate contemporary solos by Ryan Chesser. This go-to songbook will appeal to both amateur and professional pianists with works that will suit a variety of occasions and settings.

Winter Wind, composed by Sara Tomlinson, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Creation Collage songbook.

Something Else, by British composer Joanne Griffiths, has a gently meandering melody over an accompaniment of two patterns, two chords and two time signatures. A little quirky lilt changing from 3/4 to 4/4 time will keep your students counting.

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.

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.

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.

Remember Me is pop-style lyrical solo composed by Chrisanne Nahum. This piece is ideally suited for intermediates and will delight students of all ages!

February is a syncopated tune in triple meter for intermediate pianists by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. A lyrical variation replaces the principle theme in the second half of this minor piece. Students are not required to play a greater span than an octave in the left hand accompaniment, and the perpetual motion of the harmonic rhythm drives the sense of forward motion.