Seaside

Summer Dance is an MTAC Composers Today award winning composition by Lisa Donovan Lukas. A light, jazzy, energetic contemporary solo, it is a perfect showcase piece for the late intermediate student of any age!

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.”

Nuit d’etoiles (Starry Night) by Rick Robertson is a late intermediate-level lyrical solo that will appeal to pianists of all ages, and is an excellent introduction to the Impressionist style. Includes glossary of French terms and music history lesson about the Impressionist era.

In Harmony All Ways, composed by Debbie Center, combines gorgeous harmonies with ambient dissonance, resulting in a hauntingly beautiful solo for intermediates of all ages.

Intermezzo in B Flat Minor, composed by Rick Robertson, is an late-intermediate level Romantic lyrical piano solo. It appeals to pianists of all ages, and is suitable for recital and audition use.

Goodnight, Sweet Dreams is a Composers Today award winning composition by Lisa Donovan Lukas. An inspirational contemporary lyrical showcase solo, ideal for the advanced student.

Questions, composed by Rick Robertson is a late intermediate lyrical solo. It has a haunting melody full of interesting harmonic turns.

Romance in D Flat, composed by Rick Robertson, is an elegant solo for late-intermediate and early-advanced-level lyrical pianists of all ages. It is an appropriate repertoire piece for recitals, contests, and festivals.

Autrefois (In Olden Days), composed by Rick Robertson, is a late intermediate lyrical solo that is an appropriate repertoire piece for recitals, contests, and festivals. It recalls the Paris of the late nineteenth century, with its evocation of early Impressionism. This piece is part of the Kaleidoscope Volume 3 songbook. This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Lika’s Lullaby is a pensive, contemplative lyrical solo composed by Debbie Center. Full of rich harmonies and a lilting melody this piece is ideal for intermediates to work on rubato and expressive playing.

Wandering is a beautiful, intermediate lyrical solo by composer Lisa Shoemaker. Rubato style and an uplifting sound will make this a student favorite!

Sweet Farewell is a lyrical contemporary solo for intermediates of all ages that is part of the Dreamweaver songbook. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Serious Moonlight, composed by Ron Levy, is a contemporary lyrical solo, inspired by Claude Debussy’s Clair de lune, for intermediates and late intermediates.

Blow the Wind Southerly is a traditional folk song from Northumberland, England arranged by Jenny Walker. Another familiar melody, “When the Boat Comes In” is combined with the main theme in the middle of the piece. The work tells the story of a woman desperately hoping for a southerly wind to blow her lover back home over the ocean to her. This is a variation-style piece going through several keys, suitable for the late-intermediate pianists.

In a Canoe, composed by Rick Robertson, is a lower-intermediate level lyrical solo. Its swaying rhythm suggests the rowing of the oarsman (or oarswoman).

Portrait No.3 A Treasured Moment, is a late intermediate solo composed by Travis Lohmann, which pays homage to the Impressionistic colors of French composer Claude Debussy. A contemplative beginning with resonant and sonorous chords is a fantastic way to get students thinking about touch and tone color when performing. The increasingly more energetic middle section allows students to become more dexterous with rapid arpeggiated extended chords, as well as the evocative colors of the whole tone scale. The piece concludes with a distant call-back to the original main theme with jazz-influenced harmonies before having a triumphant send off of lush chords reminiscent of bells tolling far away.

Ballad, composed by Rick Robertson, is a late intermediate solo that is suitable for recitals or festivals. It is reminiscent of romantic movie music and builds to a large climax before ending quietly.

Portrait No.1, Definitive Road, is a solo composed in the harmonic and melodic tendencies of Thomas Newman. Students will enjoy exploring the mysterious yet emotional chord qualities of this piece, as well as the variations of the melodic theme. This mid-intermediate to advanced level solo by Travis Lohmann is perfect for recital programming, preludes, and more.