Wild Beauty

Wistfully, by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level lyrical solo. It is written in a “romantic movie” style, and will make a nice brief recital solo, or as a musical interlude in a worship service.

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!

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.

Ocean, composed by Sara Tomlinson, is a showcase lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Creation Collage songbook.

Regrets, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediatelevel solo in a neo-Romantic lyrical style. It features a melody in light jazz style featuring some parallel seventh chords, often in stepwise motion. Its sophisticated sound will also appeal to teens and adults. This piece is part of the Kaleidoscope Volume 2 songbook.

Winter Wind, composed by Sara Tomlinson, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Creation Collage songbook.

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

Wind Whirls, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate level showcase solo. Its passages divided between the hands give it a showy effect, with some interesting harmonies.

Mood Swings is an evocative collection of twelve character pieces composed by Jenny Walker. These contemporary solos for late-intermediate and advanced pianists provide a delightful landscape of harmonies and contemporary stylings that span a variety of genres.

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.

Valse Parisienne is a lyrical piano solo by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick. Inspired by Chopin’s Waltz in B minor, this waltz is ideal for intermediates of all ages and a great way to introduce the concept of rubato.

Rhapsodies and Reveries Volume Two features eleven contemporary lyrical solos for intermediate pianists of all ages composed by Chrissy Ricker. Inspired by the sights and sounds of nature, these solos range in style from quiet and reflective to powerful and dramatic.

Kaleidoscope Volume 2 is an evocative collection of lyrical showcase solos composed by Rick Robertson. These elegant solos will allow advancing early intermediates to work on musicality and expressive playing via works that are stage-ready and appropriate for all age groups.

The Last Goodbye, is a contemporary spin on Handel’s “Passacaglia” from Suite No. 7. This elegant arrangement by Chrissy Ricker will be enjoyed by intermediates of all ages!

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

Something Else, by British composer Joanne Griffiths, has a gently meandering melody over an accompaniment of two patterns, two chords and two time signatures. A little quirky lilt changing from 3/4 to 4/4 time will keep your students counting.

Sheets of Glass is an ambient solo composed by Jane Tate. This minor-key showcase solo is a great way for intermediates to work on crossovers.

Day is Done, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level solo in a neo-Romantic lyrical style. A slow-moving theme with harmonic richness contrasts with a middle section that presses forward, returning to the first theme for a conclusion. This is appropriate for recital or festival, in addition to worship services as a prelude or offertory.