By Your Side

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.

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.

Morning Stretch is a lyrical contemporary arrangement of Grieg’s Morning Theme and is part of the Dog Days songbook. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Faith, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate reflective lyrical solo. Its melody and mood make it equally suitable for recital or service use.

Set Sail is a collection of eleven, showcase style solos for intermediates composed by Amanda W. Smith. With a balanced mix of flashy and lyrical selections, this songbook will be a favorite with students of all ages!

May You Find Your Peace, by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level lyrical solo. The composer aimed to write a solo with a peaceful, soothing mood for times when a pianist just needs to be “alone with their instrument.” Although it is “very personal,” it is suitable to be shared in a worship service or a recital.

Summer Evening, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate level solo in a light-jazz lyrical style. It is highly patterned, easily learned, and makes an excellent performance choice.

Emerald Gem, composed by Ron Levy, is a meditative solo for intermediates, full of lush harmonies and a haunting melody. Cover photography from Back Bay, Newport Beach by Ron Levy.

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.

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.

Something Reminiscent, by British composer Joanne Griffiths, has a reflective, lyrical melody over a repetitive, pattern based accompaniment with influences of Max Richter. Based around the C minor triad there are technical demands of evenness of touch and balance between hands, with a little left over right crossing for dramatic effect.

This light and airy intermediate-level piece by Sara Tomlinson is sure to delight students. The syncopation in the middle section will nicely challenge the student. The ending is an improvisation of the main theme and a fun way to finish the piece.

Simply Sung, composed by Rick Robertson is an intermediate level solo in a neo-Romantic ambient style. The syncopated accompaniment adds a rocking motion to the right-hand melody. This piece, a favorite of the composer, can also be used in service playing or wedding ceremonies. This selection is part of the Souvenirs songbook.

Hopeful Dream is an original piano composition in a very romantic and nostalgic style, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This is a beautiful lyrical showcase piano solo at the intermediate level, and suitable for recitals, weddings, anniversaries, or repertoire where an expressive, melodic piece might be called for.

Bittersweet, composed by Rick Robertson is an intermediate-level solo in a neo-Romantic lyrical style. The melody features a slight rhythmic lilt, and there is an added surprise of a key change at the end. It will make an excellent recital choice for the growing performer.

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!

Novela, composed by Rick Robertson is an intermediate level lyrical solo. It has a haunting melody with a contrasting middle section.

Celestial Cloud, by Rick Robertson, is and ambient, new age style space piece that has lots of potential as a pupil saver. Highly pattern-based in natured this piece will bring guaranteed success to early intermediates of all ages.