Gary Johnston

First Day of Summer, composed by Gary Johnston, is a happy, bright jazzy pop tune for early intermediate solo piano to welcome back the sunny days of summer.

Written as a commemorative piece for the centenary of the battle of Beaumont-Hamel, July 1, 1916. Of the nearly 800 men who took part in the Allied offensive only 68 were to answer roll call the following day. Opening with the toll of bells this solo piano piece has a simple, yet haunting, Celtic-inspired melody played over a military drum-like drone.

Summer Roses is a lyrical piano solo for early intermediates based largely on a melodic sequence composed by Gary Johnston. The tightly closed buds of wild roses coaxed to open in the hot summer sun.

Celtic Sunrise, composed by Gary Johnston, is a lyrical waltz for early intermediates invoking Celtic harmonies and dotted rhythms. As the sun rises above the Emerald Isle the dew on the grass sparkles while the fairies dance to greet the dawn.

Midsummer Days, composed by Gary Johnston, is a light and airy lyrical solo for early intermediates and up. This piece offers a great opportunity to work on syncopated rhythms and lyrical phrasing.

Summer Breeze is a relaxed bossa-nova style piano solo by Gary Johnston evocative of a lazy summer day. This early intermediate showcase provides a great opportunity for teaching duplets.

Plink! Plank! Plonk! is a whimsical, novelty swing tune by Gary Johnston for early intermediate players featuring a walking bass line, grace notes, syncopation, and a modulation.

Heart’s Desire, composed by Gary Johnston, is an introspective lyrical piano solo for early intermediates inspired by long walks in the northern woods.

Night Owl is a swinging’ jazzy solo for early intermediates composed by Gary Johnston.

Strolling’ is a bouncy little jazz piece composed by Gary Johnston featuring a tuba-like bass line in New Orleans-style.

Back to School Boogie, composed by Gary Johnston, is a lively riff blues with a good old boogie-woogie left hand. The middle section of this early-intermediate solo features a bluesy variation on the ABC song!

Funky Dunky is a fun and energetic riff-based blues piece composed by Gary Johnston. This pattern-based piece is ideal for early intermediates and is a great way to introduce 12-bar blues, swing feel, and parallel motion in the hands.

Innuendo is a Latin-flavored jazz piece in a minor key composed by Gary Johnston. The chord symbols are included for those who wish to improvise.

Rolling Blues, composed by Gary Johnston, is a bluesy early intermediate solo by Gary Johnston featuring triplets, a walking base line, syncopation and room for improvisation using the C blues scale.

By the Frozen Mill Pond by Gary Johnston is a wistful piano solo for early intermediates of all ages. This elegant, introspective melody, conjures up images of a frosty day on a frozen pond.

Stately march by Sir Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934), Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (Trio). Often used as a graduation march and is traditionally the finale at the Last Night of the Proms. This arrangement by Gary Johnston is written in a homophonic chorale style suitable for most formal occasions.

Walkin’ the Dawg is a bright jazzy swing piece with a bluesy feel by Gary Johnston. Great introduction to learning walking bass lines for the intermediate pianist.

Harvest March, composed by Gary Johnston, is a bright Sousa-style march celebrating the last days of autumn and the cold winter days to come.

Harvest Tango, composed by Gary Johnston, is a mysterious and fun dance for early intermediates using the iconic tango rhythm in a minor key. To be danced under the Harvest moon!

Turkey Trot, composed by Gary Johnston, is a bright, jazzy little piece for early intermediates with lots of syncopation and a half-time walking bass line.

March of the Scarecrows, composed by Gary Johnston, is an early intermediate level Sousa-style march in 6/8 used by the scarecrows as they set off for work in the corn fields on a bright August day!

From pianist and composer Gary Johnston comes this fun romp for the holidays. The snowman was just built yesterday and now it’s his first Christmas!