Pedalling

Pensive Prelude by Rick Robertson is an early intermediate lyrical solo. Widely-spaced harmonies support a melody that gives a bittersweet vibe. It also sounds effective played on an upright piano with a practice (mute) pedal, or on a keyboard with “space” voices.

Autumn Lament by Rick Robertson is an intermediate level lyrical solo. This melodic piece will make an effective recital or service music selection. A bonus point is that this piece is written in sonatina form, but not in the textbook style that one might expect.

Ukrainian Bell Carol, a perennial favorite of students, arranged for early intermediates. This piece, arranged by Jennifer Eklund, will be a hit at your holiday recital.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas, a holiday favorite, arranged in a peaceful lyrical setting for early intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This piece is part of the “Easy Christmas Classics” holiday songbook.

O Come, All Ye Faithful, a traditional holiday favorite, in a peaceful lyrical setting for early intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This piece is part of the “Easy Christmas Classics” holiday songbook.

Winter’s Calm by Rick Robertson is a late-elementary/early intermediate New Age lyrical solo that will appeal to pianists of all ages. This can be used as service music as well, especially for youth.

Jingle Bells arranged as a contemporary lyrical solo for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund.

Silent Night arranged in a lyrical contemporary style for early intermediates. Part of Christmas Classics Volume 1 songbook by Jennifer Eklund.

The First Noel arranged in a lyrical contemporary style for early intermediates. Part of Christmas Classics Volume 1 Songbook by Jennifer Eklund.

Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, arranged for intermediates, by Lisa Donovan Lukas.

Silent Night arranged as a contemporary lyrical piano solo for intermediates. Music arranged by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Christmas Classics Volume 2 songbook.

The First Noel arranged as a contemporary lyrical piano solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Christmas Classics Volume 2 songbook by Jennifer Eklund.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas in a contemporary lyrical setting arranged by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Christmas Classics Volume 2 collection, this piece is ideal for intermediate pianists of all ages.

Silent Night for Two by Jenny Walker is for four hands and is a fantasia based on the famous carol. It can be played by two intermediate/advanced pianists or a student and teacher. It opens and ends with bell-like octaves and pedal notes. The main melody is played initially by the primo player and the volume and speed picks up as other parts come in. This sparkling showcase is an entertaining take on a seasonal favorite.

Glass Houses by Amanda W. Smith is a mysterious sounding, video-game style duet for two beginners in the key of C minor.

Agent 001 is a spy-themed one-handed showcase solo by Chrissy Ricker ideal for late beginners of all ages. This piece can be played with either the right or left hand. This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Goblin Dance is a spooky minor-key one-handed solo by Chrissy Ricker ideal for late beginners of all ages. This piece can be played with either the right or left hand.

NOTE: This piece is a selection for the 2027-28 ABRSM Syllabus (Grade 2)

Eerie Evening is a late beginning level solo that explores the haunting sounds of harmonic overtones throughout the piano. Cleverly written, students will be amazed at the new sounds their acoustic piano can make! This piece might even inspire some new “ghost” compositions!

A haunting melody and quirky harmonic scheme make this Halloween-flavored solo by Paul Sweet is perfect for your next recital. It’s full of teaching moments, too: pedal technique, phrasing, accidentals, and more!

Once Upon a Time is a whimsically macabre solo composed by Stacy Fahrion that is part of the songbook of the same title. This eerie showcase piece is ideal for early intermediates and beyond.

A Wise Old Owl is inspired by a nursery rhyme of the same title and set here as a whimsically macabre solo for intermediates by Stacy Fahrion. If you’re playing on a grand piano, before beginning the piece you can silently depress the low F octave and sustain it throughout with the sostenuto pedal for an added mysterious effect. This is an optional effect, and the piece still works well without it. The damper pedal is often left down for extended periods of time as well for a swirling effect.

Autumn Lament, composed by Jennifer Eklund, is an easy lyrical solo for late beginners. This piece offers a great opportunity to work on broken sixths, pedaling, and lyrical phrasing.

For the Beauty of the Earth, a selection from the Sacred Spotlight songbook, arranged in an elegant, contemplative setting for early intermediates. Arranged by Jennifer Eklund.

Amazing Grace arranged as a lyrical solo for intermediates of all ages arranged by Jennifer Eklund. This piece is part of the Dreamweaver songbook.