Midsummer Days

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Whisper is a minor-key lyrical solo composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas that will be enjoyed by early intermediates of all ages. This piece is part of the Enjoy the Ride songbook.

Chanson, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate-level lyrical solo. With its haunting melody and interesting harmonic turns this piece is useful for recitals, weddings, or church services.

Summer Stars, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is an enchanting lyrical solo for early intermediates. This piece is part of the Rhapsodies and Reveries songbook.

At Sunset, composed by Rick Robertson, is a lyrical solo for early intermediates and up with a mature" sound. It is suitable for teens and adults as well.

Cloudy Day, composed by Rick Robertson is a wistful, elegant solo ideal for late-elementary through early intermediate pianists of all ages.

Harvest March, composed by Gary Johnston, is a bright Sousa-style march celebrating the last days of autumn and the cold winter days to come.

Castle in the Clouds is an elegant solo for advancing early intermediates of all ages composed by Jennifer Eklund. This showcase solo is a great way to introduce syncopation and an advanced key signature since the piece requires very few shifts in hand position.

Sky Castles songbook features eleven charming contemporary lyrical solos for intermediates and beyond. With its harmonic elegance this collection will be a staple that students of all ages can grow with as they progress through lessons.

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.

Melancolie is an elegant minor-key lyrical solo for early intermediates composed by Rick Robertson. This piece is part of the Lyric Moments songbook.

The Secret is a mysterious, minor-key lyrical solo for early intermediates of all ages by Jennifer Eklund. This elegant piece offers the opportunity for budding musicians to explore nuanced harmonies and work on expressive playing and use of rubato. This piece is part of the Shades of You songbook.