Octaves

The Birthday of a King, a sacred holiday solo, arranged for late intermediates by Sandra Zylstra.

Ash Grove, a traditional Welsh melody and hymn of Thanksgiving, arranged for intermediates by Sandra Zylstra.

Dance Upon High, is an elegant medley featuring the Russian Dance from “The Nutcracker” and “Angels We Have Heard on High” arranged for early intermediates by Chrissy Ricker. This piece is part of the Medley Magic holiday songbook.

Good King Swing, is a jazzy spin on the holiday favorite “Good King Wenceslas.” This intermediate level solo by Chrissy Ricker is guaranteed to liven up your holiday performance!

The iconic Ukrainian Bell Carol, artfully mixed with the Rachmaninoff Prelude “The Bells of Moscow” in an intermediate level arrangement by Chrissy Ricker. This piece is part of the Medley Magic Volume 2 holiday songbook.

Overture from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, arranged for intermediates, by Lisa Donovan Lukas.

Medley from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, including the Pas de deux and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, arranged for intermediates, by Lisa Donovan Lukas.

Patapan is Stacy Fahrion’s showcase arrangement of the classic French Christmas carol. In the original lyrics, “turerurelu, patapatapan” mimic the sound of the flute and drum. This version gradually builds to a heavily syncopated finale.

Festive Frolic, composed by Jenny Walker, is a quirky piece full of fun. Starting and finishing in the upper end of the keyboard, it slowly creeps down until we get just a hint of Jingle Bells together with left-hand chord leaps, which can be played slightly slower. The last part of the piece completes the musical sandwich with a playful ending.

Deck the Halls arranged as a lively holiday showcase solo by Jenny Walker. After a flamboyant introduction, the first section has a walking bass with a single-note melody in the right hand. The second has a much more modern feel, with syncopated chords in a pop-rock style.

Bell Carol Waltz is a fresh spin on a holiday favorite arranged here for intermediates by Amanda W. Smith!

Once in Royal David’s City, arranged by Rick Robertson is a late intermediate level arrangement of a less-familiar Christmas carol. It will make an effective recital selection, a prelude for church services, or perhaps for the Festival of Lessons and Carols.

Away in a Manger is a gentle, flowing arrangement that combines the two versions of this popular holiday tune that are well-known in both the U.K. and the U.S. Music by Jenny Walker.

This kaleidoscopic rendering of Rejoice and Be Merry by Paul Sweet combines brilliant effects and a danceable tune to make this arrangement a welcome departure from standard holiday fare.

The Sussex Carol (sometimes called “On Christmas Night All Christians Sing”) is a very popular carol in England. This arrangement by Jenny Walker, has a jaunty, 6/8 feel and is similar in style to “I Saw Three Ships”. It is a lovely, lilting carol with a joyous, rhythmic sway.

O Little Town of Bethlehem in a peaceful setting by Paul Sweet that recalls the wondrous events of a night long ago. Rich harmonization and a gently sweeping accompaniment beautifully frame this holiday favorite.

Yeti or Not, Here I Come!, by Rick Robertson, is a late elementary level showcase solo. This piece is especially useful as a “spooky” or “scary” solo for Halloween recitals (it depicts a game of “Hide and Seek” with Bigfoot), but it could be used in any other non-seasonal program.

This fun ragtime piece, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a playful nod to Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” A perfect early intermediate showcase solo for Halloween, or any time of year!

Linguine Tarantella, by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level showcase solo. Written in the style of the Neapolitan Tarantella, its exciting dynamic changes and a cascade of flying octaves at the end will make this a showstopper for recital or festival.

Prelude in E Minor, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level showcase solo in a neo-Baroque style. It is written in the style of Bach’s organ works as transcribed for piano by Ferruccio Busoni, and would make a good program opener for a developing pianist. Its minor key and somber sound also makes it suitable as a Halloween selection.

Sideways Blues is a strange blues by Stacy Fahrion based on an eight-note scale containing these notes: E-F-G-A#-B-C-C#-D-E. Since it’s based only on that scale, most of the chords are not typical blues chords, although it follows a typical 12-bar structure. Students have the option to repeat measures 13-24 and improvise with the right hand over the chords that are already there.

This ethereal piece by Stacy Fahrion quietly subverts the meaning of the famous poem by Lord Byron. Ideal for intermediates of all ages.

Moonlight Nocturne is a haunting intermediate lyrical solo composed by Lisa Shoemaker. This elegant work is ideal for students who love to play with passion and a touch of drama!

What defines a Halloween piece, other than a piece in a minor key with an eerie title? Inspired by the whimsically macabre words of Edward Gorey, this piece by Stacy Fahrion beckons you into a haunting waltz that defies convention with its 5/8 time signature. It offers rhythmic twists that promise to challenge and enchant late intermediate pianists, turning their practice into a ghostly dance of mystery at the keys. This piece is part of the “These Are Odd Times” songbook.