Longing

“Picking Marigolds” is a composition written by Travis Lohmann. It explores the use of contemporary harmonies, alternating meters, as well as chordal extensions. While still providing a simple and flowing melody, it is taken through a variety of transformations both harmonic and melodic. Students and teachers alike will enjoy picking apart the musical sequences scattered throughout the piece, as well as the overwhelming sense of serenity this piece brings. Definitely could be used as an interlude for a recital program, or even for social gatherings.

Wandering is a beautiful, intermediate lyrical solo by composer Lisa Shoemaker. Rubato style and an uplifting sound will make this a student favorite!

Portrait No.3 A Treasured Moment, is a late intermediate solo composed by Travis Lohmann, which pays homage to the Impressionistic colors of French composer Claude Debussy. A contemplative beginning with resonant and sonorous chords is a fantastic way to get students thinking about touch and tone color when performing. The increasingly more energetic middle section allows students to become more dexterous with rapid arpeggiated extended chords, as well as the evocative colors of the whole tone scale. The piece concludes with a distant call-back to the original main theme with jazz-influenced harmonies before having a triumphant send off of lush chords reminiscent of bells tolling far away.

Nice Little Monster is a bluesy piece by Stacy Fahrion about a creature that is tired of being called a little monster. Ideal for intermediates of all ages.

Picking Daisies, composed by Travis Lohmann, is a light-hearted and jovial jazz-influenced waltz appropriate for mid-intermediate to advanced pianists, and focuses on such concepts as: cantabile legato lines, syncopated rhythms, dynamic expressivity, left and right hand leaps, triplet passage work and rolled chords. Best suited as a showcase solo, the highlight of this piece is the written-out solo over the chord changes, sure to dazzle the audience. With dexterous phrases, catchy melodic segments, and infectious rhythms, this piece is certain to brighten your day and those nearby!

Whimsy & Wonder features ten delightfully macabre solos for intermediates composed by Stacy Fahrion. These quirky, neoclassical twists on favorite nursery rhymes will delight pianists of all ages who are looking for unique performance pieces.

Summer Dance is an MTAC Composers Today award winning composition by Lisa Donovan Lukas. A light, jazzy, energetic contemporary solo, it is a perfect showcase piece for the late intermediate student of any age!

Lighthouse in the Fog, composed by Rick Robertson, is a late-intermediate level Impressionist lyrical solo. It is an appropriate repertoire piece for recitals, contests, and festivals.

Valse Parisienne is a lyrical piano solo by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick. Inspired by Chopin’s Waltz in B minor, this waltz is ideal for intermediates of all ages and a great way to introduce the concept of rubato.

Imagination is an elegant lyrical showcase solo for late intermediates composed by British composer Jenny Walker.

Wistful Waltz, composed by Stacy Fahrion, is a mysterious, Chopin-esque waltz with a very un-Chopin-like modal middle section and an abundance of tritones. Ideal for early advanced level pianists of all ages.

Romance in D Flat, composed by Rick Robertson, is an elegant solo for late-intermediate and early-advanced-level lyrical pianists of all ages. It is an appropriate repertoire piece for recitals, contests, and festivals.

The Exquisite Melancholy of Everything Left Unuttered is a delicate waltz in E minor composed by Stacy Fahrion. There is an optional cut notated in the score to accommodate students at a lower intermediate level.

Portrait No.1, Definitive Road, is a solo composed in the harmonic and melodic tendencies of Thomas Newman. Students will enjoy exploring the mysterious yet emotional chord qualities of this piece, as well as the variations of the melodic theme. This mid-intermediate to advanced level solo by Travis Lohmann is perfect for recital programming, preludes, and more.

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.

Chopin’s iconic Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55, No. 1, remixed in a modern lyrical spin by Jennifer Eklund. This mild and mellow version, includes all sections of the original piece, is ideal for late intermediate and advanced level pianists.

Pernicious Pumpkin is a whimsically macabre concoction of nursery rhymes by Stacy Fahrion. This eclectic, minor-key gem will be a hit with teens and intermediates of all ages.

Falling Slowly is a whimsically macabre lyrical solo composed by Stacy Fahrion. This solo is ideal for intermediates of all ages and is part of the These Are Odd Times songbook.