July

Cruisin’ is a laid back jazz-waltz solo by Canadian composer, Lisa Frederick. Ready for a lazy ride in a cool car? This is your ticket to ride!

Once Upon a Whimsically Macabre Time is a collection of intermediate piano solos centered around a theme of macabre stories and characters. In this collection, Stacy Fahrion displays a penchant for minor keys and dance-like rhythms.

Minuet in Gee! is a light-hearted ragtime spin on Beethoven’s classic Minuet in G. This solo, composed by Ron Levy, is ideal for intermediates of all ages. Cover photo is an original painting entitled “Dancers” by Carol Julien.

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).

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.

Double Takes is a set of seven pairs of Rags and Blues, composed by Joanne Griffiths, and inspired by J.S.Bach’s Preludes and Fugues. Each pair is a study in contrasting styles, mood, rhythm, tempo, articulation, dynamic range and textures.

The collection progresses up the keyboard, through a range of keys beginning on C and ending with B, and covers many pedagogical techniques for an intermediate pianist whilst still remaining engaging and fun.

Moose on the Loose is a jazzy showcase piano solo by Lisa Frederick. This delightful hard-romping swing solo is an ideal spotlight piece for late-intermediates of all ages.

While the ragtime genre really did not exist during the California Gold Rush, this collection of evocative ragtime solos by Barbara Becker, offers a musical glimpse into that wild time as San Francisco appeared and then boomed with activity. Picture a gentle dance late at night in a saloon; the joyous hope and the frequent disappointment associated with prospecting for gold; Lola Montez’s moaning about some so-and-so who did her wrong; “Mr. Moneybags” John Sutter preening in the city; and tired miners drowning their sorrows on Saturday night, then shuffling off to bed. These fun pieces fit right in with the period’s expectations of instant wealth, juxtaposed against the back-breaking work, often for little return.

Sun Suite, by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick, is a set of three contemporary lyrical solos celebrating the beauty of the sun at different points of the day. This set is ideal for intermediates of all ages and will function well as a set or as separate showcase solos.

Debbie Center’s exciting ragtime piece which came to her in a dream about fun times with her family on her Minnesota lake, Fifth Crow Wing. This playful, upbeat showcase will delight intermediates of all ages.

Composer Ron Levy sets the table with eleven delicious salad courses. Sometimes crunchy, always funky! Chock full of sweet rhythms and savory melodies for intermediates of all ages. You will want your musical menu to begin with a nutritious helping of Jazz Salad!

Summertime Rag, composed by Jenny Walker, is an upbeat, bouncy ragtime solo for early intermediates.

Christmas Memories, features thirteen elegant arrangements of holiday favorites composed by Rick Robertson. This collection of lyrical solos will bring joy to the season for advancing intermediates of all ages.

Intermezzo in E-Flat, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level lyrical Romantic solo suitable for students of all ages.

The Lovelorn Lobster is a song from 1897 with words by Joseph W. Herbert. Stacy Fahrion wrote her own original whimsically macabre music to the poignant lyrics about love between a lobster and a piscatorial maiden going terribly awry. A timeless, classic theme for Valentine’s Day, or any occasion!

Festival of Lights is a set of new arrangements of popular Hanukkah songs done in typical Ron Levy style: exploring a range of moods from solemn to quirky, and including a few musical surprises along the way.

Isolation was written in early 2020 by Stacy Fahrion. This expressive intermediate piece begins and ends in 5/4, and features palindromic rhythms (rhythms that are the same backwards and forwards) and a gentle two against three polyrhythm in the middle section.

All aboard! Choo-Choo-Boogie is a blues-boogie style piano solo by Canadian composer, Lisa Frederick. This showcase solo, ideal for advancing intermediates will delight students of all ages!