Modern harmonies

Passacaglia, by Rick Robertson is a late-intermediate level lyrical solo. The ostinato bass begins simply and quietly, and builds to a triumphant conclusion. Besides its technical value, it is a very effective recital and festival selection. This piece is part of the Kaleidoscope: Volume 3 songbook.

Summer Dance is an MTAC Composers Today award winning composition by Lisa Donovan Lukas. A light, jazzy, energetic contemporary solo, it is a perfect showcase piece for the late intermediate student of any age!

Seaside, composed by Rick Robertson, is a late intermediate contemporary lyrical solo. With its gentle syncopation, it suggests a modern barcarolle.

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.

Valse Sentimentale is a pensive lyrical waltz composed by Rick Robertson that is ideal for early intermediates. This piece is part of the Reach for the Stars songbook.

Mama’s Song by Rick Robertson is an early-intermediate-level lyrical solo. It is based on a theme penned by the composers’s mother. This piece makes for a lovely recital selection or as service music, especially for Mother’s Day.

Daydream, composed by Jenny Walker, is an elegant contemporary lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Nuances songbook.

Scarlet Moon, composed by Rick Robertson, is a modern lyrical solo for late intermediates. Its rich harmonies and swaying syncopations will make this an effective recital solo for pianists of all ages.

Graduation is a jubilant lyrical waltz for intermediates composed by Barbara Becker. This piece is part of the Potpourri songbook.

Lighthouse in the Fog, composed by Rick Robertson, is a late-intermediate level Impressionist lyrical solo. It is an appropriate repertoire piece for recitals, contests, and festivals.

This new lyrical solo from Ryan Chesser is perfect for sipping coffee at your window on wintry days. There are lots of opportunities here for expressiveness, rubato, and plenty of sparkly, crisp notes.

Portrait No.3 A Treasured Moment, is a late intermediate solo composed by Travis Lohmann, which pays homage to the Impressionistic colors of French composer Claude Debussy. A contemplative beginning with resonant and sonorous chords is a fantastic way to get students thinking about touch and tone color when performing. The increasingly more energetic middle section allows students to become more dexterous with rapid arpeggiated extended chords, as well as the evocative colors of the whole tone scale. The piece concludes with a distant call-back to the original main theme with jazz-influenced harmonies before having a triumphant send off of lush chords reminiscent of bells tolling far away.

Portrait No.2, Spirited Castle is a late intermediate solo composed in the likes of Joe Hisaishi. Students will enjoy the bright and upbeat jazz waltz feel, soaring melody, as well as exploring scintillating quartal harmonies in left hand accompaniment. This piece is perfect for openers or dramatic finishes at recitals, festival solos, and more!

Portrait No.1, Definitive Road, is a solo composed in the harmonic and melodic tendencies of Thomas Newman. Students will enjoy exploring the mysterious yet emotional chord qualities of this piece, as well as the variations of the melodic theme. This mid-intermediate to advanced level solo by Travis Lohmann is perfect for recital programming, preludes, and more.

“Picking Marigolds” is a composition written by Travis Lohmann. It explores the use of contemporary harmonies, alternating meters, as well as chordal extensions. While still providing a simple and flowing melody, it is taken through a variety of transformations both harmonic and melodic. Students and teachers alike will enjoy picking apart the musical sequences scattered throughout the piece, as well as the overwhelming sense of serenity this piece brings. Definitely could be used as an interlude for a recital program, or even for social gatherings.

Picking Lilacs, composed by Travis Lohmann, features light influences of jazz, as well as lyrically phrased melodies. Best suited for mid to late-intermediate pianists, this composition can work both as a contemplative opener for a concert, as well as middle interlude between selections. The light-hearted tone of this piece, as well as its whimsical nature is sure to be a perfect performance piece for any concert.

A substantial and captivating descriptive piano work by Jenny Walker depicting an Irish stream from its small pure beginning high in the hills gaining volume and depth as it torrents through the forest. A reel interrupts the flow as the water dances over rocks and echoes of the stream are heard as it is swallowed up by the ocean. Winner of the European Piano Composers Competition, 2014.

Sweet Hour of Prayer in an elegant, contemplative setting for late beginners. Arranged by Jennifer Eklund. This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

It Is Well with My Soul in a lyrical setting for early intermediates arranged by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Sacred Spotlight songbook.

Fairest Lord Jesus arranged in a contemplative lyrical style for early intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Sacred Spotlight songbook. This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Be Thou My Vision arranged in a lyrical setting for early intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Sacred Spotlight songbook.

Sonatina is a charming three-movement classical composition by Barbara Becker. This piece is ideal for early intermediates of all ages.

Cookie Waltz has its origin in my very first composition, written while an undergraduate at Orange Coast College under the tutelage of Dr. Edith Smith. The original title, Mookwipp No. 1, seemed a bit strange in retrospect, so I transformed it thus: mook–> cook–>cookie…Cookie Waltz!

Frenzy!, composed by Rick Robertson, is a fast & flashy late intermediate level toccata, with driving rhythms and quartal harmonies. It would make an exciting recital or festival selection.