On Your Toes!

Hungry for a fast & flashy showcase solo? Stataco Tostada is a cheeky ode to the common mispronunciations we’ve all heard a million times. This early intermediate showcase solo, arranged by Jennifer Eklund, is loosely based on traditional Mexican folk melodies and provides a great opportunity for students to work on articulations and chord inversions.

Hurry Scurry!, by Rick Robertson is an early intermediate level showcase solo in a fast and flashy style. It is inspired by the beloved Arabesque, op. 100 no. 2 by Friedrich Burgmüller. Its passages lie easily under the hands, and is effective in a variety of tempos. This will serve as a wonderful showpiece for a pianist who wants to shine!

Who doesn’t love a good tarantella? Your early intermediate students will go crazy for this fun and energetic performance piece by composer Lisa Shoemaker. It’s also a great review of chromatic scales!

Hummingbird, composed by Rick Robertson, is a rapid-fire late-elementary piano solo. It is an excellent velocity etude or encore piece.

The Chase is a fast and flashy showcase piano solo that is part of the Dog Days songbook. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Flying Solo is an easy flashy recital piece that reinforces ascending and descending arpeggios in both hands. Music for early intermediates Jennifer Eklund and part of the Songs I Love to Play Volume 2 songbook.

Heptagon, by Rick Robertson, is an early-intermediate level showcase solo. A heptagon is a polygon with seven sides and seven angles. This piece, written in 7/8 time, gives a young pianist an opportunity to explore a relatively uncommon asymmetrical meter with a brief, driving, toccata-style showpiece.

The Chase is a fast piano solo with lots of flashy passage work that sounds much harder than it actually is to play! Music composed by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Spotlight Solos Volume 1 songbook.

Toccata Staccata, composed by Rick Robertson is an intermediate level showcase solo. Its staccato parallel chords with a hint of Latin flavor give the advancing performer an exciting showpiece.

Epic is a driving, rock-style solo by Chrissy Ricker for late beginners to early intermediates. This high-energy piece introduces students to elements of harmony, rhythm, and form commonly found in rock music.

March of the Mayonnaise Jars, featuring words and music by Rick Robertson is an early intermediate level showcase solo in a march style. Its dynamic scheme depicts the marching jars as they approach in parade formation, then pass the onlookers. The crisp parallel chord writing gives it a slightly “sarcastic” modern flair, like Milhaud or Prokofiev.

Composer Stacy Fahrion interweaves Hickory Dickory Dock and snippets of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow into this whimsically macabre solo that will delight late intermediates of all ages.

With its catchy rhythmic drive and harmonic twists, Tango Twist, composed by Jenny Walker is a joy to play, a pleasure to listen to and a real showcase piece for adventurous students and teachers alike.

Yee-Haw!, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early-intermediate-level showcase solo. It is inspired by “barn dance” or “square dance” music, and adds a touch of Americana to any recital program. It is a definite pupil saver and motivator and could also be used in “costume recitals” when a spooky costume is not desired.

Ah, Paree! is an elegant lyrical solo for early intermediates and up composed by Barbara Becker. This selection is part of the Riding the Orient Express songbook.

Dark to Light is a fast and flashy solo for early intermediates composed by Jennifer Eklund. This showcase piece serves as a great introduction to 6/8 time and sixteenth notes.

Super Hero is a fast and driving showcase solo by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This selection is ideal for early intermediates and serves as a great introduction to playing in 5/4 time.

Mischief, composed by Lisa Shoemaker, is fast & flashy showcase solo for early intermediates in irregular meters. This piece is part of the Musical Mosaics songbook.