Encore

The Wellspring suite, composed by Jenny Walker, depicts the journey of a mountain stream, from its humble beginnings high up in the hills of County Down, all the way to its final destination where it flows into the sea. Within them are snippets of Irish style reels, jigs, and songs, resulting in a varied and beautiful collection for intermediates.

Endearing Irish Charms, arranged by Jennifer Eklund, is a medley of two familiar Irish tunes “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” This intermediate solo provides ample opportunity to work on interpretation, rubato, and lyrical artistry.

Skye Boat Song, a traditional Scottish classic, arranged in a lyrical style for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund.

Mambo a la Mozart is a Latin-style remix of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 arranged as a solo for late intermediates by Jennifer Eklund.

Mambo a la Mozart is a showstopper duet for two late-intermediates based on Mozart’s iconic theme from Symphony No. 40 in G minor. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Slow Rumba, composed by Jenny Walker, is a sassy Latin-style solo full of fun and catchy rhythms. This solo is ideal for intermediates.

This is a rock-style, funky piece with a Celtic-like melody and snatched right hand chords. The dotted rhythm in the left hand provides a drive throughout. There is a contrapuntal section where the right hand plays the melody along with a similar one in the left, possibly the hardest part of this work. It is great fun to play, in a true flashy showcase style.

Little Tarantella, composed by Jenny Walker, mimics the Italian style of folk dance that has an upbeat, triple time tempo accompanied by tambourines. This lively solo is ideal for advancing 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.

Recuerdos de la Alhambra, originally written for classical guitar by Francisco Tárrega, arranged for piano by Debbie Center. This is a lovely Spanish-style showstopper for any occasion!

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.

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.

Lullabies for Arachnophobes by Stacy Fahrion is a whimsically macabre collection written in homage of spindly spiders of all shapes and sizes. Rife with quirky rhythms, harmonies, and re-spindled versions of spidery classics, this collection will delight advanced players of all ages.

Double Trouble is a book of unique duets by Stacy Fahrion. This book gives pianists opportunities to experiment with blues improvisation and extended techniques. It includes showy pieces in odd meters, several wild boogies, a melancholy lyrical waltz, and, of course, a tarantella that has Itsy Bitsy Spider surreptitiously woven into it. Most of the pieces are based in minor keys, modal, or use the double harmonic major scale.

These Are Odd Times, by Stacy Fahrion, is a whimsically macabre collection of solos composed in odd meters. Rife with less common meters, shifting time signatures, and intricate contrapuntal textures, this collection provides a rewarding challenge for late-intermediate and advanced pianists.

When You Smile, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level solo in a lyrical light-pop or jazz style. It is dedicated to jazz singer Dubby Spivak, widow of the American bandleader Charlie Spivak, who is a friend of the composer.

Boogie-Man Blues is a jazzy jaunt in A minor composed by Stacy Fahrion. This swinging showcase solo is ideal for intermediates.

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.

Barrelhouse Blues is an evenly-leveled, boogie-woogie style piano duet by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick. This joyful romp is ideal for intermediates of all ages and is sure to be full-time fun at your next recital!

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.

High Five, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level jazz showcase solo in 5/4 time. It has a rhythmic drive and is an audience pleaser.

This slightly sinister stride duet by Stacy Fahrion incorporates a few simplified snippets of Chopin’s Etude in A Minor, Op. 10, No. 2.

April is an intermediate jazz solo with a leisurely, easygoing feel. The syncopated rhythmic accompaniment is offset by a straight-eighth melody with built-in improvisational bits. This is one of a set of 12 month-titled pieces by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM.

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!