Tricks & Treats

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.

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.

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

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.

Seven Sisters is a study in 7/8 time, inspired directly by Etude No.16 by Philip Glass. There are two main motifs that are introduced individually. One low in the bass and the other high in the treble, that are then combined to create some fun crossing the hands back and forth over a driving ostinato based on only two chords. There is plenty of scope for dynamic variation and sensitivity to tonal balance, whilst also playing with energy and imagination.

Space Waltz, composed by Ron Levy, is a delightful showcase solo for intermediates. This cinematic-style solo will serve as a great performance piece for recitals.

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.

Feel the energy and pulse of San Francisco with this set of six character pieces by Barbara Becker. Harmonically innovative showcase solos for intermediates of all ages!

Toccata Rag by Rick Robertson is an intermediate level ragtime showcase solo. It is based on J.S. Bach’s famous Toccata in D Minor for organ. This has the potential to “bring down the house” on a recital program, and could also serve as a light-hearted addition to a Halloween program, or even an “encore”.

Five Feisty Witches is a ferociously flashy piece in 5/8 composed by Stacy Fahrion. This showcase solo is ideal for intermediates.

Insomniac’s Lullaby is a disturbing lullaby appropriate for Halloween or giving your parents strange nightmares. This whimsically macabre solo, composed by Stacy Fahrion, is ideal for intermediates.

This wistfully whimsical piece by Stacy Fahrion expresses The Farmer in the Dell’s unrequited love for Adele. Ideal for intermediates of all ages.

Once Upon a Time is a whimsically macabre solo composed by Stacy Fahrion that is part of the songbook of the same title. This eerie showcase piece is ideal for early intermediates and beyond.

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.

Haunted Reverie, composed by Ron Levy, is a haunting lyrical solo, in the style of Erik Satie, for intermediates and beyond.

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

Zorro is a lively Spanish-style showcase solo composed by Sara Tomlinson. This early intermediate piece will make for an exciting solo at your next recital!