Midsummer Days

Dream Clouds by Rick Robertson is an early intermediate solo in a neo-Romantic lyrical style. It is very effective in performance, and its passagework lies easily under the hands, making it sound more difficult than it is.

Lazy Afternoon by Rick Robertson is an early-intermediate-level lyrical solo. The flowing style and ease will appeal to pianists of all ages.

Summer Breeze is a relaxed bossa-nova style piano solo by Gary Johnston evocative of a lazy summer day. This early intermediate showcase provides a great opportunity for teaching duplets.

Summer Samba, is a whimsically carefree Latin-style solo for late beginners composed by Chrissy Ricker. This piece is part of the Perfect Patterns songbook.

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.

March of the Red Ants, composed by Kevin Costley, is an showcase solo for late beginners. This piece serves as a great opportunity for students to work on playing a steady bass line, triplets, and shifting between major and minor modes.

August Sun, composed by Rick Robertson, is an upbeat lyrical solo for intermediates of all ages. This piece is part of the Souvenirs songbook.

This is a lyrical piano ballad in waltz time for intermediate pianists by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. The melody is made almost entirely of ascending and descending pentascales (5-note scales) on white keys. The accompaniment for left hand requires a hand span primarily of melodic octaves with an occasional melodic tenth. The ternary form features a middle section with surprising harmonies and a deceptive cadence. Middle and high school students will find this piece both accessible and rewarding.

Beautiful Memories is an uplifting contemporary lyrical solo for intermediates that is also part of the New Horizons Songbook. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund.

Peel the Beet! is an upbeat Latin-style solo by Ron Levy for early intermediates. This piece is part of the Jazz Salad songbook.

Summertime Rag, composed by Jenny Walker, is an upbeat, bouncy ragtime solo for early intermediates.

Boppin’ on the Boardwalk is a playful spin on “Minuet in G” from the The Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach. This fun and flashy arrangement by Chrissy Ricker will be sure to delight early intermediates of all ages!

Hold On is a lyrical pop solo ideal for late elementary pianists and is part of Spotlight Solos Volume 2. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund.

Winter Walk by Jane Tate is a peaceful solo that would be suited to the early to middle intermediate player of any age. It will be a charming addition to any recital or performance opportunity.

Backward Glances, composed by Rick Robertson, is meditative early intermediate lyrical solo. This lyrical piece is part of the Souvenirs songbook.

Dance of the Loons, by Debbie Center, was inspired by the wail and tremolo calls of the loons on her northern Minnesota lake. The piano mimics the calls of the loons in this hauntingly beautiful tribute to Minnesota’s state bird. This piece is on Debbie’s CD entitled “In Harmony All Ways.”

Distant Bells is an elegant polyrhythmic etude for early intermediates composed by Stacy Fahrion. This piece serves as an excellent introduction to playing two against three between the hands.

Winter Frost, composed by Rick Robertson, is a lower-intermediate lyrical solo. Its plaintive sound makes it an interesting reflective solo. The melody is primarily in the left hand.