Groundhog Day

Backyard Bash is a collection of solos written for beginning pianists who enjoy playing music with lyrics. With the exception of three pieces, Crazy Cat, Old Dog, and Tree Swallow, these songs describe actual events that have happened in my suburban backyard in Southwest Virginia. Crazy Cat combines the personalities of two of our family cats, Calhoun and Casper, into one. Old Dog is about our Golden Retriever, Clyde, who lived with us when we started our family and was the kindest and most gentle dog I’ve ever known. Tree Swallow is about a male tree swallow who behaved exactly as described in the lyrics, but in my father’s backyard rather than in mine. I have found that my students love playing these songs because they sound more difficult than they are, and they are fun to sing along with! I hope you enjoy these musical nature studies and learn to play them all! - Sarah O’Brien

Morning Sounds is an easy lyrical solo for beginners composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien that includes lyrics. This piece serves as a great introduction to playing in waltz-time, crossovers, and easy open-fifth position shifts with the left hand.

A Song for All Seasons is a celebratory collection that can be enjoyed year-round by late beginners. Each season includes an arrangement of one of Vivaldi’s concertos from “The Four Seasons,” followed by two original season-specific solos composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas.

Backyard Bash, Volume 2, is a collection of solos written for late beginning pianists who enjoy playing music with lyrics. It is the sequel to Backyard Bash and offers just enough additional difficulty to challenge and delight students. These pieces were written about actual creatures which inhabit our Southwest Virginia backyard, and the lyrics are intended to facilitate study of the music while also amusing the performer. I have found that my students love playing these songs because they sound more difficult than they are, and they are fun to sing along with! I hope you enjoy these musical nature studies and learn to play them all!

Midnight Bells Are Ringing, is an easy multi-level solo by Jennifer Eklund for beginners and late beginners of all ages. This piece is a spooky spin on “Frère Jacques” that will delight students during the Halloween season or anytime a minor mood strikes!

Night Sounds is an easy lyrical solo for beginners composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien that includes lyrics. This piece serves as a great introduction to ties and easy position shifts.

Vivaldi’s iconic Spring Theme, from The Four Seasons, arranged for late beginners of all ages by Jennifer Eklund. Includes an upbeat, contemporary teacher accompaniment. Part of the Piano Pronto: Movement 1 method book.

Sunny Day is a delightful, lyrical solo written at three different levels by Robyn Fehrenbacher. Includes two beginner versions with optional teacher duet, as well as a solo version for late beginners of all ages.

Winter Sky is a beautiful lyrical showcase piece for the early elementary level student of any age, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas. Includes an accompanying teacher duet part and lyrics which can be sung, or used for interpretation.

Blue Jay Blues is an easy bluesy solo for beginners composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien that includes lyrics. This piece serves as a great introduction to 12-bar blues, easy position shifts, and swing-style eighth notes.

Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet arranged for easy piano by Jennifer Eklund.

Happy Birthday in a multi-level solo pack with two arrangements by Jennifer Eklund suitable for late beginners and early intermediates. An absolute essential for any piano student!

Mysterious Fox is a minor-key spooky showcase solo for late beginners that includes lyrics. This piece composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien is part of the Backyard Bash Volume 2 songbook.

What could be nicer than a cat nap on a lazy afternoon? This laid-back jazz piece by Chrissy Ricker is sure to be a hit with early intermediates of all ages!

Chasing the Paints is an early intermediate showcase solo composed by Jane Tate. This fun and silly song is a showdown between horse and owner trying to catch her in the field.

Pas de deux from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet arranged for easy piano by Jennifer Eklund.

Flight of the Dragon, by Chrissy Ricker, is a fanciful showcase solo for beginners. This piece is part of the “Creature Features” songbook.

Turkey in the Straw sheet music is a fun little romp for late beginners that is a great recital solo. Arranged by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Songs I Love to Play Volume 1 songbook.