July

Cruisin’ is a laid back jazz-waltz solo by Canadian composer, Lisa Frederick. Ready for a lazy ride in a cool car? This is your ticket to ride!

Once Upon a Whimsically Macabre Time is a collection of intermediate piano solos centered around a theme of macabre stories and characters. In this collection, Stacy Fahrion displays a penchant for minor keys and dance-like rhythms.

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).

Minuet in Gee! is a light-hearted ragtime spin on Beethoven’s classic Minuet in G. This solo, composed by Ron Levy, is ideal for intermediates of all ages. Cover photo is an original painting entitled “Dancers” by Carol Julien.

Moose on the Loose is a jazzy showcase piano solo by Lisa Frederick. This delightful hard-romping swing solo is an ideal spotlight piece for late-intermediates of all ages.

Easy Come, Easy Go is an easy ragtime-style jazz solo for late beginners that will reinforce syncopation and swing style eighths. Music by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Spotlight Solos Volume 2 songbook.

Double Takes is a set of seven pairs of Rags and Blues, composed by Joanne Griffiths, and inspired by J.S.Bach’s Preludes and Fugues. Each pair is a study in contrasting styles, mood, rhythm, tempo, articulation, dynamic range and textures.

The collection progresses up the keyboard, through a range of keys beginning on C and ending with B, and covers many pedagogical techniques for an intermediate pianist whilst still remaining engaging and fun.

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.

While the ragtime genre really did not exist during the California Gold Rush, this collection of evocative ragtime solos by Barbara Becker, offers a musical glimpse into that wild time as San Francisco appeared and then boomed with activity. Picture a gentle dance late at night in a saloon; the joyous hope and the frequent disappointment associated with prospecting for gold; Lola Montez’s moaning about some so-and-so who did her wrong; “Mr. Moneybags” John Sutter preening in the city; and tired miners drowning their sorrows on Saturday night, then shuffling off to bed. These fun pieces fit right in with the period’s expectations of instant wealth, juxtaposed against the back-breaking work, often for little return.

Debbie Center’s exciting ragtime piece which came to her in a dream about fun times with her family on her Minnesota lake, Fifth Crow Wing. This playful, upbeat showcase will delight intermediates of all ages.

June is a dramatic solo for later intermediate pianists. The mysterious setting evokes the mood of a summer storm with tumultuous wind. Crashing pops of lightning punctuate the primary theme while arpeggiated flourishes mimic the downpour of sudden rain. This is one of a set of 12 month-titled pieces by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM.

Here We Come A-Caroling arranged for intermediates in an upbeat showcase-style jazz setting by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Jazzy Jingles Volume 2 songbook.

Be Thou My Vision, arranged by Rick Robertson, is a worshipful arrangement of the beloved hymn. It is one of the arranger’s favorite hymns, and is suitable for service or recital use.

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.

Portrait No. 6: Apeñas Amigos is an Intermediate to Late Intermediate work- paying tribute to Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti, and it combines elements of both Classical and Jazz idioms. A hauntingly lyrical melody plays throughout the beginning and end of the work, while students will also be exploring various angular sequences as well. Teachers will enjoy this work for its lush harmonic content, perpetual rhythmic drive, as well as teaching various articulations and how to handle various tempi.  Intertwined within this work is a brief section of frenetic chaos, as well as a jovial (and dissonant) left-hand melody, which is sure to give students a real workout!

The idea for this series came from listening to some of my favorite piano literature. Chopin was a master at creating absolutely beautiful, lyrical melodies, and I found myself wishing my own intermediate students could enjoy playing his music. This collection featuring, ten of Chopin’s Nocturnes, is the second book in this series, and is aimed at preserving as much of his original works as possible, while making them accessible for the intermediate student.

Sleeping Beauty Waltz, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, arranged by Lisa Donovan Lukas for solo piano, is a delightful, lyrical showcase piece for the intermediate pianist.

New Horizons songbook features contemporary lyrical piano solos composed by Jennifer Eklund that are ideal for intermediates of all ages.