Fall-Themed

Misty Morning is a Satie-esque, reflective solo composed by Jennifer Eklund. Ideal for early intermediates of all ages, this piece offers a great opportunity to introduce students to the concept of rubato. This piece is part of the Shades of You 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.

This is a lyrical piano ballad in waltz time for intermediate pianists by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. The melody is made almost entirely of ascending and descending pentascales (5-note scales) on white keys. The accompaniment for left hand requires a hand span primarily of melodic octaves with an occasional melodic tenth. The ternary form features a middle section with surprising harmonies and a deceptive cadence. Middle and high school students will find this piece both accessible and rewarding.

Where Beauty Lives (Libra) is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This piece is part of the astrology-inspired songbook “Signs of the Time.”

Magnetic Forces (Scorpio) is a fast and flashy solo for intermediates composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This piece is part of the astrology-inspired songbook “Signs of the Time.”

Happy-Go-Lucky (Sagittarius) is an elegant, lilting waltz for intermediates composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This piece is part of the astrology-inspired songbook “Signs of the Time.”

October is an intermediate new age piece by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. The constantly moving triplet figures in both hands are meant to evoke the swirling motion of colorful autumn leaves blowing about in the breeze. Rather than centering on a traditional melodic line, October allows students to create a mood or effect by experimenting with dynamic inflection and rubato to vary each performance. Dynamic indications in the score are merely suggestions – performers are meant to make this free-flowing piece their own.

Indian Summer, composed by Sara Tomlinson, is a reflective ambient solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Creation Collage songbook.

Ruby Skies is an uplifting contemporary lyrical solo, for intermediates and beyond, composed by Jennifer Eklund. This solo makes for a lovely recital selection or as music in church services. This piece is part of the “Sounds of the Spirit” songbook.

Pumpkin Smash, is an evenly-leveled duet for beginners by Chrissy Ricker. Great for the fall performances and beyond!

Funeral March for a Jack-o’-Lantern is a jaunty late beginner Halloween solo arranged by Jennifer Eklund that mixes the Funeral March from Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 2 and The Hearse Song. Two versions are included, one with a key signature and one without.

Funeral March for a Jack-o-Lantern is an easy, evenly-leveled duet for late beginners by Jennifer Eklund. Perfect for Halloween or any time of the year when a spooky mood strikes! Includes separated parts and a stacked score for convenience.

Funeral March for a Jack-o-Lantern is an easy, evenly-leveled trio for late beginners by Jennifer Eklund. Perfect for Halloween or any time of the year when a spooky mood strikes! Includes separated parts and a full conductor’s stacked score for convenience.

Terrifying Trilogy is an eerie and mysterious three-piece set with Hitchcock-inspired titles spanning late-elementary to early intermediate levels. All three pieces are in an expanded C minor five-finger hand position. With fast-slow-fast tempo indications, the three solos work well as movements of a modern sonatina or as stand-alone material.

Creepy Crawly Icky Things by Rick Robertson is an early intermediate level showcase solo. This piece is especially useful as a “spooky” or “creepy” solo for Halloween recitals, but it could be used in any other non-seasonal program. The “crawly” figures divided between the hand feature chromatic passage and unfamiliar note patterns.

Scary Movie, by Rick Robertson is an early intermediate level showcase solo, inspired by the beloved “Ballade” by Burgmüller. In addition to being an excellent seasonal Halloween selection, it will help the young player develop technical skills, all wrapped up in less than a minute of fun!

Dark Waters, composed by Jennifer Eklund, is a haunting lyrical waltz for early intermediates and up.

Spooky Ooky! composed by Rick Robertson is an intermediate level showcase solo. Its staccato, jaunty rhythms, and sudden dynamic shifts make it an excellent spooky Halloween solo.