At the Edge

Sky, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the “Three Sketches in Blue” suite that is included in the Rhapsodies and Reveries Volume Two songbook.

Summer Skies, composed by Ron Levy, is a lyrical pop ballad for intermediates. Its beautiful melody with flowing accompaniment will please performers and listeners alike.

August is a new age piano solo, composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien NCTM, for intermediate and late intermediate pianists. The pedagogical focus of this selection is small hand accessibility. The waltz-time setting and straight eighths are ideal for helping players achieve a fluid technique and a sense of forward motion. The melodic content is “hidden” within the right hand eighths and gives ample opportunity for developing sophisticated voicing.

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

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.

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

Dreamweaver is a collection of fourteen contemporary lyrical solos composed by Jennifer Eklund for intermediates and above. This book contains selections for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

UPDATE: The e-book edition of this songbook was updated in September of 2024 with new engravings and some minor corrections to courtesy accidentals and rhythmic notations.

Mystery and uncertainty are just around the corner with this minor key solo by Ryan Chesser. This piece is great for teaching artistic expression and balance between hands. Your moody teenage students will love this expressive showcase solo!

Lullaby, composed by Joanne Griffiths, is a lyrical and expressive piece, suitable for an intermediate player. It is based on the primary chords of D major, with the occasional chromatic twist.

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.

Remember When, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level solo in a neo-Romantic ambient style. The opening section consists of harmonies divided between the hands, and a middle section adds some melodic interest. It is another of the composer’s favorites, is suitable for service playing, and is part of the Souvenirs songbook.

Enjoy the Ride is a delightful collection of intermediate solos by Lisa Donovan Lukas featuring a variety of tonal centers and styles. These eleven selections are ideal for intermediates of all ages.

The Silver Lining, composed by Ryan Chesser, is a light and airy lyrical solo for intermediates. This selection is part of the Winds of Change songbook.

Sky’s the Limit is an intermediate level contemporary lyrical solo by Jennifer Eklund. This piece is part of the Dreamweaver songbook.

Something Borrowed, composed by Amanda W. Smith, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Set Sail songbook.

Monday’s Child is a suite of seven character pieces, composed by Joanne Griffiths, based on the children’s traditional British fortune-telling poem “Monday’s Child.” It is contemporary in style, particularly influenced by Ludovico Einaudi and Arvo Part. The pieces are mainly light and gentle in mood with meditative patterns, sequences, imitation and repetition at the core and topped with lyrical melodies, portraying the character of each child for that day.

By Your Side, composed by Ryan Chesser, is a sentimental lyrical waltz for intermediates. This selection is part of the Brand New Day songbook.

Until I See You Again is an expressive and heartfelt lyrical solo by Heather Nanney. Its beautiful melodic lines make this intermediate solo a student and teacher favorite.