Tricks & Treats

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.

Oh Snap! is a fun, jazz piano solo for early intermediates that incorporates finger snaps throughout. Music written by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Dog Days songbook.

Prelude in E Minor, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level showcase solo in a neo-Baroque style. It is written in the style of Bach’s organ works as transcribed for piano by Ferruccio Busoni, and would make a good program opener for a developing pianist. Its minor key and somber sound also makes it suitable as a Halloween selection.

The Chase is a fast and flashy showcase piano solo that is part of the Dog Days songbook. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Tarantellas are always a student favorite, and this spritely one, composed by Lisa Shoemaker, is sure to make your intermediate students shine! This is a great piece to work on quick transitions between open and closed hand positions.

In the Groove is a fun-filled collection of thirteen showcase solos composed by Lisa Frederick. Ideally suited for early intermediates and beyond, these engaging pieces cover a wide variety of genres including jazz, blues, lyrical, boogie-woogie, and more!

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.

Tiptoeing is a suspiciously sneaky minor-key piano solo by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick. Full of twists & turns, this wonderful study in contrasting styles is ideal for early intermediates and above.

This piece starts out mostly normal, staying close to Stephen Foster’s piece, but then something goes awry and it ends up in the parallel minor. Music by Stacy Fahrion.

Who doesn’t love a good tarantella? Your early intermediate students will go crazy for this fun and energetic performance piece by composer Lisa Shoemaker. It’s also a great review of chromatic scales!

The Chase is a fast piano solo with lots of flashy passage work that sounds much harder than it actually is to play! Music composed by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Spotlight Solos Volume 1 songbook.

Nebula, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level solo in a contemporary style, built entirely on the whole-tone scale on C. It gives the performer ample opportunity to explore different sonorities while working on touch and balance.

Spooky Ooky! composed by Rick Robertson is an intermediate level showcase solo. Its staccato, jaunty rhythms, and sudden dynamic shifts make it an excellent spooky Halloween solo.

Moonlight Nocturne is a haunting intermediate lyrical solo composed by Lisa Shoemaker. This elegant work is ideal for students who love to play with passion and a touch of drama!

Black Cat Boogie, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early-intermediate jazzy showcase solo in a Boogie-Woogie style. It is very effective in performance, and should be a hit on any recital program. It is purposefully written in G-flat major, and uses black-key pentatonic melodies.

Lullabies for Arachnophobes by Stacy Fahrion is a whimsically macabre collection written in homage of spindly spiders of all shapes and sizes. Rife with quirky rhythms, harmonies, and re-spindled versions of spidery classics, this collection will delight advanced players of all ages.

A flashy intermediate solo in 7/8 time based on This Old Man composed by Stacy Fahrion.

Songs I Love to Play Volume 2 features fun and motivating solos for early intermediates of all ages. Recital ready arrangements of popular themes and original compositions by Piano Pronto author Jennifer Eklund. This book contains selections for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.