Alive and Growing

Joanne Bender

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Planet Earth is a dreamy gentle piece which uses beautiful harmonies to create a feeling of warmth and thoughtfulness for the earth. Play it freely and expressively.

Keep on Moving is a fast-driving piece which uses quartal chords to create a bold sound. Bring out the melody notes and keep the accompaniment soft. Keep the rhythm steady through the metre changes and the variety of rhythmic patterns. End boldly.

Metamorphosis refers to a change or transformation. Caterpillars undergo a metamorphosis when they become butterflies. In this piece, a change from the minor key to the major key takes place. Enjoy the soft jazzy harmonies and rhythms.

Octa-Tonic is a lively "spiky" piece based on the octatonic scale. Play it with energy and it will energize you and those around you.

High Five Alive is in 5/4 time and flows like a river meandering through the countryside. Its minor key is haunting.

Lean Mean Green Machine is to be played with drive. It varies between 6/8 and 5/8 time and uses quartal chords to give it a unique sound. Crisp staccatos and good accents make this environmentally-friendly piece come alive.

Shadows in the Forest sets a dark, mysterious atmosphere by using many perfect fifth intervals. The damper pedal helps to sustain the shadowy mood. The tremolo adds drama.

Trembling Aspen is an impressionistic piece that paints a tone-picture of the trembling aspen tree, whose leaves tremble in the wind. Its plaintive melodies are haunting.

Angular Measures

Martha Hill Duncan

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

ANGULAR MEASURES is four pianistic explorations of reverberant sound and rhythm designed to encourage physical freedom, expression and full tone across the entire keyboard. Often using opposing black and white keys between the hands, each piece has a unique mood and tempo allowing for dramatic and artistic flourishes. M.H. Duncan

QUADRANGLE (Level 6)

TRIANGLE (Level 7, RCM)

PENTANGLE (Level 8)

TANGLE (Level 9)

RCM: The Royal Conservatory of Music

Individual E-Pieces available at http://marthahillduncan.com

Arctic Voices

Susan Griesdale

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9), Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Sounds of the Arctic, alone, haunting, vast and dangerous.

Level 3/4: ARCTIC VOICES (RCM, CSS),

Level 3: INUKSUK (Stone statue) (CSS)

Level 4: ARCTIC FOX (RCM, CSS)

Level 5: DRUM DANCE

Level 6: LAMENT FOR THE POLAR BEAR (RCM, CSS, CC),

Level 6: DANCING SKIES  (RCM, CC)

Level 7: TOQUES AND PARKAS (RCM, CSS, CC, CNCM)

Level 8: GLACIERS  (CSS, CC)

Level 9: ARCTIC WOLF  (CSS)

• RCM: The Royal Conservatory of Music
• CSS: Contemporary Showcase Syllabus
• CC: Canada Conservatory Contemporary Idioms
• CNCM - Canadian National Conservatory Northern Lights

Copycat Copycat - Elementary Piano Solos

Teresa Richert

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B, Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Cottage Days

Martha Hill Duncan

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

COTTAGE DAYS is a collection of ten expressive summer soundscapes designed for the elementary and early intermediate pianist. The duet, THE DOG THAT WAS AND THE DOG THAT IS (Level 3-4)  was included in earlier versions of Cottage Days and is still available separately.

Level 1: SUMMER LIGHTNING

Level 2: MISTY MORNING

Level 3: CICADAS, FIRE CIRCLE

Level 4: ROWBOAT AT THE DOCK (RCM), CATTAILS

Level 5: WATER LILIES (RCM), SANDCASTLES, AUGUST MOON

RCM: The Royal Conservatory of Music

Individual E-Pieces available at http://marthahillduncan,.com

Creatures Great and Small

Joanne Bender

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B, Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Dances, Daydreams & Dinosaurs

Janet Gieck

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B, Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

This collection is packed with pieces to capture the imagination of girls and boys. It covers a variety of styles for the elementary piano student and includes program notes. 28 pages. Updated Edition (2010).

If you plan to make multiple copies of this music, please respect copyright and purchase a studio license.

All Aboard the Octave Train
Next Stop, Pemberton!
Spring Day
Card Houses
Chromatisaurus
Chokecherry Jam
Gameboy/Arcade Game
Outdoor Skating Rink
Tricky Tracks
First Dance
The Last Dinosaur
T. S. T-Rex
Sixty Four Beats
Before Dawn
Tiptoe
William and Lisa's Waltz
Promenade

Everything Waits for the Lilacs

John Burge

Categories: RCM Syllabus (CA), Solo Sheet Music - Piano

Levels: Advanced/Diploma (Grade 10, ARCT and up)

This six-minute work was commissioned by Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska, the title of which is borrowed from Margaret Avision's poem, "Thaws". The music makes expansive use of the entire keyboard and is tinged with a distant romanticism that in part reflects a frozen landscape waiting for the arrival of spring. At times the music echoes appropriately with a strong sense of longing and desire and ends with a very loud repeated chord that just can't seem to break free of the fading grasp of winter as each repetition increasingly reverberates with more ghostly overtones. This work is included on the RCM ARCT Piano Performance Diploma Repertoire List E and has been used by many students as a required Canadian composition in national and international piano performance competitions. 11 pages.

If Dogs Could Talk

Martha Hill Duncan

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B, Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

13 playful piano pieces designed to develop rhythmic and reading skills for eager beginners up to Level 2. They are short but are filled with expressive details, two handed dialogue and contrasting legato and staccato touches to help bring each musical story to life. M.H. Duncan

Beginner/Prep: SLEEPY HEAD (RCM), RUMBLE TUMBLE, THIS AND THAT

Level 1: AFRICAN KITTY, IF DOGS COULD TALK, TWINS, SUNNIER DAYS, LITTLE BIRD, MOONLIGHT

Level 2: I WANT TO FLY, PARTY PLANS, WHY?, FLYING HORSES, TALKING FISH

RCM: The Royal Conservatory of Music

Individual E-Pieces available at http://marthahillduncan.com

Imagination - Elementary Piano Solos

Teresa Richert

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B

Isla Vista Suite

Martha Hill Duncan

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9)

ISLA VISTA SUITE was written after an extended stay  in the colorful and lively community of Isla Vista, California. This area is also home to one of the largest over-wintering sites for the monarch butterfly, tall eucalyptus groves and tidepools along the ocean shore. We also experienced the Santa Ana winds, along with the threat of fires in the area. M.H. Duncan

THE EUCALYPTUS GROVE (RCM Level 7)

TIDEPOOLS: (RCM Level 9)

MONARCHS, (RCM Level 9)

SANTA ANA WINDS (RCM Level 9)

RCM: The Royal Conservatory of Music

Individual E-Pieces available at http://marthahillduncan.com

Just Kidding! Elementary Piano Solos (2018 Edition)

Teresa Richert

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B, Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Lady Bug and Friends

Beverly Porter

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Limestone Etchings

Martha Hill Duncan

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9)

LIMESTONE ETCHINGS is a collection of piano works  paired with original pencil drawings by artist Spencer Hope. This musical and visual collaboration honors the picturesque and historic city of Kingston, Ontario. M.H. Duncan

THE WAR MEMORIAL (RCM Level 8)

KINGSTON MILLS LOCKS (RCM Level 9)

ON THE POND (Level 9)

AT CITY HALL (Level 9)

RCM: The Royal Conservatory of Music

Individual E-Pieces available at http://marthahillduncan.com

Madge's Notebook A Piano Tribute to The Hunger Games

Rebekah Maxner

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Engaging music for teens and tweens!

• Early Intermediate to Early Advanced piano solos (Levels 3 to 8)
• One Intermediate duet (1P4H)
• A Piano Tribute to the Hunger Games
• A piano book you can imagine that the series characters would have on their piano
• An imagined setting of music mentioned in the books: folk music of District 12, music by Madge for Katniss, plus classics from a time before Panem

Several pieces evoke folk music from District 12 that is mentioned in The Hunger Games books, including the lullaby Deep in the Meadow, the patriotic Valley Song, the haunting The Hanging Tree, the simply beautiful Toasting, as well as the Wedding Dance.

There are also new twists on classics and classic rock that I imagine would still be known in the future, including a Bach/Lennon mash-up Imagine a Prelude, a Beethoven/Led Zeppelin mash-up, Stairway for Elisa, and a new take on the Moonlight Sonata, Over the Moon.

The final two pieces are from Madge to Katniss, Friends of a Feather, a duet, and For Rue, a Chopin-inspired waltz based on Rue’s “all’s well” signal.

REVIEWS

“The pieces are so well thought out and student’s will love the literary connections.” ~ Penny Lazarus

“Many of the pieces are original compositions, but there are also some interesting pieces inspired by famous piano pieces…. The pieces seem to evoke the original classical work, rather than exist merely as a simplified version.  Very creative!” ~ Joy Morin, Color in My Piano blog

“One of the things that Rebekah mentioned that really impressed me was that she “tried to imagine what piano music of our era would have survived into the future world of District 12” ~ Penny Lazarus

“…a very creative and unique music book containing songs that capture the series’ setting and story really well, while tastefully interweaving snippets of famous pieces…” ~ Natalie Weber, Music Matters blog

Northern Menagerie - Intermediate Piano Solos

Teresa Richert

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Outside My Window Volume 1

Janet Gieck

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Parking an Octatonic Truck

John Burge

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

A collection of ten pieces ranging from Grades 1-8 that explores some of the more unusual approaches to composition such as polytonality, sympathetic reverberation, less traditional meters and clusters. John Burge used many of these pieces in the past as Quick Study repertoire for music festivals and as such, are put together in a logical fashion making them easy to teach, memorize and most importantly, fun to play. The set includes, "Dancing Scales" (RCM Grade 6 Etude List) and "Cluster Blues" (RCM Grade 8 List D). 24 pages.

Petals for Piano - Intermediate Solos plus a Trio at One Piano

Teresa Richert

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Piano Trios, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

TGR-PC009:  28 pages, ISMN 979-0-9001430-0-6

Ten dreamy solos named for the official flowers of the ten Canadian provinces. The trio for 6 hands at one piano, Northern Petals, represents the three Canadian territories. Each solo is in a different key. They explore a variety of technical challenges for the intermediate student and all, including the trio, require expressive playing and extensive use of the damper pedal. (Grades 3 to 7)

Dogwood (7)   Wild Rose + (3)   Prairie Lily(3/4) Prairie Crocus (4/5)  White Trillium (6/7)  Blue Iris** (7)  Violets (5/6)   Mayflower (4)  Lady's Slipper (5/6)   Sarracenia (4)  Northern Petals Trio*** 6H/1P (4/5)

• Canadian National Conservatory of Music Northern Lights**
• Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms (most pieces)
• NFMC Bulletin (USA)***
• Royal Conservatory of Music +2022

Wild Rose performance on YouTube by Jeremy Zhang, winner of a Platinum award at the 2024 Canadian International Music Competition.

Piano Mime in Concert

Susan Griesdale

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

A collection of theatrical character pieces affords an opportunity to create a unique concert program where you can mix and match to design your very own mini recital!

Level 4/5: Did You Have to Go,   Lullaby with Ground Bass (CC),   The Trolls are Coming

Level 5: Memory of a Waltz,   Dancing Clowns (RCM),   Sleepwalking (RCM)  Brand New Sneakers,

Level 6: Piano Mime (CC, RCM)

Level 7: Quiet Cove,   High Jinks

Level 8: Tornado,   Night Shadows

• RCM - Royal Conservatory of Music (2015, 2022)
• CC - Conservatory Canada

Precipitations

Martha Hill Duncan

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Seven highly contrasted “weather-related” soundscapes that make for exciting late intermediate to advanced recital repertoire.

Level 7: DRIZZLE, FIRST SNOW, SUNDOG (RCM)

Level 8: SUNSHOWER (RCM), DRYSPELL,  HAIL

Level 9: RACING THE STORM (RCM Level 9)

RCM: The Royal Conservatory of Music

Individual E-Pieces available at http://marthahillduncan.com

Saplings Anthology

Red Leaf Anthology

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA), Red Leaf Anthologies

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Saplings features twenty-one early intermediate piano solos and is the second anthology from the composers of Red Leaf Pianoworks. Following Red Leaf's first elementary volume, Sprouts, this collection raises the technical and interpretive challenges while keeping the repertoire imaginative and inspiring for both the teacher and performer.

Seasons - Intermediate to Advanced Piano Solos

Teresa Richert

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA), Seasonal

TGR-PC001:  27 pages, ISMN 979-0-9001430-0-6

Eight lyrical pieces inspired by nature and outdoor activities associated with the four seasons. The pieces explore a wide range of moods and technical challenges. (Grades 6 to 9)

No.1 Spring Blossoms* (6), No.2 Beyond the Clouds (7/8), No.3 Moonlit Summer Night (8/9), No.4 Song of the Sunflowers*/** (7/8), No.5 The Wind (7/8), No.6 The Storm (8/9), No.7 Snow Drifts*** (8/9), No.8 The Ice Dancers**/+(8)

• BC Conservatory of Music Horizons*
• Canadian National Conservatory of Music Northern Lights**
• Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms 2021 (most pieces)
• Contemporary Showcase Syllabus***
• Royal Conservatory of Music +2015

The Ice Dancers performed by Frannie Hwang on YouTube, May 2023

Sprouts Anthology

Red Leaf Anthology

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA), Red Leaf Anthologies

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B, Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Sprouts is the very first Red Leaf Pianoworks Anthology featuring two compositions from each of the ten composers of this collective: Joanne Bender, Martha Hill Duncan, Janet Gieck, Susan Griesdale, Rebekah Maxner, Beverly Porter, Teresa Richert, Peter Rudzik. This is a great introduction to music that combines charming originality with pedagogical value from these highly creative and talented composers. Open the sound samples to see videos, first a short Guide sampling one short excerpt from each composer. And secondly the playlist of all the pieces in the collection.

The Color Collection

Rebekah Maxner

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Music that inspires a love for the piano!

• Early to Late Intermediate (Levels 3 to 6)
• Includes Rainbow Swirl (Level 8)
• Expressive piano pieces to color your days
• From impressionist to Latin, swing, blues and jazz
• 10 piano solos

Express yourself! No matter who you are or how you feel there is a piece to capture your mood. The Color Collection offers many opportunities to explore how music can express the way you feel. Gray Day is “for slow days when you wear your pajamas all day,” and Yellow Boots is “for friends who splash in puddles of sunshine together.” This book is fast becoming a favorite of studio recitals and music festivals.

As you explore the articulation, dynamics and key signatures in the pieces you will discover how music creates moods to express the way you feel.

REVIEWS

“…these intermediate level pieces are sure to grab the imagination of lots of piano students!” ~ Natalie Weber, Music Matters blog, CA

“When I introduced your book and played some of the pieces, [my student’s] lights went on...” ~ Andrea, AB

“…I love your color book and hope to be passing on my student copy to someone this fall… The other copy, I’m keeping for ME ME ME!” ~ Libby, VA

“One of my students is learning your Blue Train...and enjoying it immensely.” ~  Peggy L’Hoir, SK

The Sunken Garden

Martha Hill Duncan

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Advanced/Diploma (Grade 10, ARCT and up)

Inspired by the Sunken Gardens and Theater in San Antonio, Texas, these three pieces have exciting cross-overs and cover the entire keyboard  with an improvisatory and contemporary sound palette.

THE JAPANESE TEA GARDEN (RCM Level 10) is beautifully serene, set amidst limestone and water. Rising paths and steps wind from the bottom floor to the top edge.

THE RIVER (RCM Level 10) represents the timeless flow and the impact on the land by "the river" and is more improvisatory, as if the player is making it up as they go.

THE THEATER (RCM Level 10) The warm nostalgia and Hispanic flavour of my Texas heritage are embodied in this final piece of the set. M.H. Duncan

RCM: The Royal Conservatory of Music

Individual E-Pieces available at http://marthahillduncan.com

Things Bright and Beautiful

Joanne Bender

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Toy Collection - Elementary Piano Solos

Teresa Richert

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA), Seasonal

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B, Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Truly Astounding Animals

Peter Rudzik

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9), Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

A set of twelve playful and highly imaginative miniatures, each portraying an astounding animal. There is an Annoying Fly with its goofy theme and buzzing effect, Boastful Kangaroo with its left hand leaps and chords that move chromatically. Busy Woodpecker has a truly pecking theme accompanied by fast alberti bass while Tarantula's Tarantella offers yet another challenge in fast playing with a variety of different articulations. Whale Song, Thoughtful Rhino and Hedgehog at Night are more mysterious in nature while Orange Striped Zebra, Silly Little Squirrel and Dancing Penguins are sweet little pieces for children. Happy Grasshopper has a lively and bouncy character that reflect its free and independent nature while March of the Centipedes has quite a mischievous theme. Great for recitals and festivals. Strongly recommended by the International Piano magazine.

Twenty-Four Preludes

John Burge

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, RCM Syllabus (CA)

Levels: Advanced/Diploma (Grade 10, ARCT and up), Early Advanced/Advanced (Gr 8 - 9)

This work also includes a number of diploma level compositions highly suitable for competition or examination use given their compact size and relatively short duration. The set reveals Burge's close affinity to the music of Chopin. Equally though, the Preludes of Debussy, with their expressive textural sonorities and colour, can also be considered touchstones, especially in the way that Burge provides subtitles for fourteen of his Preludes. Composed over the years 2011-2015, Burge personally premiered a few at a time so that the music had a long period of gestation, finally premiering the entire set in 2015 (a complete performance takes about one hour). The most unusual aspect of these Preludes is that eight of them use extended instrumental techniques such as strumming strings inside the piano. These techniques are very simple to execute and do not require any advance preparation of the piano but in most cases can only be realized successfully on a grand piano with the music stand removed. As a guiding principle, Burge tried to embrace each Prelude's tonic key in an audibly recognizable fashion so that at times the music is emphatically tonal, even in the Preludes that involve non-traditional performance practices.

While some of the Preludes have a difficulty level appropriate to Grades 8 and 9 repertoire ("Prelude No. 5" was published previously in Northern Lights Volume 8B), the majority of the Preludes are at a Grade 10 or Diploma level of difficulty and as such, have much potential for piano competition and examination use. The 2022 Royal Conservatory of Music 2022 Piano Celebration Series published Prelude No. 9 in C sharp minor in the Level 9 Etude Book and Prelude No. 1 in C major in the Level 10 Etude Book. Prelude No. 16 in B flat minor (subtitled, "The Hummingbird"), appears in the RCM 2022 Piano Syllabus as an ARCT Examination piece in List E. The music is beautifully printed with a coil binding hidden by a fold-over cover for lasting protection and durability. 80 pages.

The Scottish pianist, Murray McLachlan, reviewed these Preludes in the magazine: International Piano - Jan/Feb 2018