A Day at the Beach

Amy Stephens

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

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

5 pieces, 28 pages. NFMC Bulletin 2024-2028 selections from the Popular Piano Solo category: Skipping Rocks (level 1), Tide Pools (level 2), Riding the Waves (level 3). Super-fun pieces in Latin-jazz and jazz styles depicting sites at the beach. Each piece has an accompanying song construction activity page to help students understand the compositional devices behind the music and to give students the opportunity to compose their own ideas. This book also helps students understand chromatic, whole tone, lydian, and blues scales, as well as complex intervals like 9ths and 10ths. Most of all, these rhythms feel really fun under the fingers!  This suite was awarded 1st place for Composers Today 2022. 1. Skipping Rocks, 2. The Hang Gliders, 3. Tide Pools, 4. Riding the Waves, 5. Swimming with Dolphins

A Grand Adventure

Irene Voros

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

A GRAND ADVENTURE - Ten Elementary Piano Solos with Pizzazz!

Enjoy syncopated rhythms and harmonies related to the movement and energy of each character in flight.  When performing these pieces remember to be generous with musical expression of discovery, enchantment, and delight.  (*Conservatory Canada)

Level 1: Buzzing Bees, Firefly's Waltz, Runway Rock

Level 2: A Grand Adventure, Big Blue Sky*, Flying Under the Radar, Hummingbird, Out of This World*, Where Dreams Take Flight*

Level 3: Penguin's Plight

Individual E-Pieces available at www.irenevoros.com

Around the World

Irene Voros

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

AROUND THE WORLD ...

8 Intermediate Piano Solos inspired by cities and countries from around the world.    Explore rich harmonies, creative melodies, jazz chords, and blues bass lines in these evocative pieces.  What a wonderful world!  (* Conservatory Canada)

Level 5: Beneath Cherry Blossoms*, Venetian Waterways*, Wailea Shores*

Level 6: Christmas In Stockholm*, Stepping Out In Dublin*, Tango La Boca*, "The Big Easy" Blues, Amazon Rainforest

Individual E-Pieces available at www.irenevoros.com

Becoming: Suite for Solo Piano in Seven Movements

Amy Stephens

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

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

32 pages, 7 pieces. This suite for advanced players is written in Third Stream style, which combines jazz language and sensibilities with classical form. The pieces are fully notated, but two movements leave room for improvisation if the player chooses. The music is deep and introspective and allows for much expression and interpretation. The suite has won numerous awards in competitions, including The American Prize for solo/chamber compositions 2023, The Robert Avalon International competition 2020, SMP Press 2019, and Composers Today 2019. 1. Innocence, 2. Provocation, 3. Inquietude, 4. Prayer, 5. Celebration, 6. Serenity, 7. Thanksgiving.

Childhood Excursions: Are We There Yet?!

Amy Stephens

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

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

5 pieces, 32 pages. NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections for the Popular Piano Solo category: Riding the Rails (level 2), Night on the Town (level 3). Amy combines classical form with jazz language and sensibilities in these very fun pieces.  In this suite, Amy takes the performer through her most-treasured childhood memories in Ontario and Michigan, exploring places like the Algoma Railway to Sault Ste Marie, performances at Stratford, the waterfalls at Niagra-on-the Lake, the monarchs at Point Pelee, harvest time in Chatham and concerts in Detroit. The suite teaches arm and wrist fluidity, with each piece focusing on a different aspect of using elbow and wrist movements at the piano: drop-lift slurs, wrist rotation, wrist circles, side-to-side and in-and-out motions. This suite won 1st place in the Composers Today 2023 competition.  1. Riding the Rails, 2. Monarchs, 3. Night on the Town, 4. Waterfall, 5. Harvest

Clowning Around and More!.......

Beverly Porter

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Forest Friends

Irene Voros

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

FOREST FRIENDS is a collection of ten piano pieces depicting life in the Forest through jazz chords, evocative melodies, syncopated rhythms, expressive ballads, and lively marches.

Level 1: Forever Friends, Soaring

Level 2: Porcupine Parade, Songbird, Distant Wanderer, Skitter Scatter

Level 3: Rascal Rock, Pounce!

Level 4: Woodpecker's Drum, Grizzly's Groove

Individual E-Pieces available at www.irenevoros.com

Inspired

Irene Voros

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

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

INSPIRED ...

7 Intermediate Piano Solos evocative of the character of each title. Inspired features jazz elements of syncopated rhythms, complex harmonies, and expressive melodic lines.  May each piece in this collection inspire your musical journey!

Level 5: Solace, Reflection

Level 6: Impact

Level 7: Compassion, Hope

Level 8: Courage, Inspired

Individual E-Pieces available at www.irenevoros.com

Journey Through the Galaxy

Irene Voros

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

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

JOURNEY THROUGH THE GALAXY ...

8 Intermediate Piano Solos exploring journeys and adventures through music. Enjoy the varied rhythms and harmonies related to the movement and character of each activity. When performing these pieces, remember to be generous with musical expression of delight, determination and mystery! (* Conservatory Canada)

Level 2: In a Rock Band*

Level 3: Journey Through the Galaxy*, Singin' In the Choir*, Swinging the Salsa*

Level 4: Riding the Rails*, Sailing Away*

Level 5: In a Hot Air Balloon, On a Skateboard

Individual E-Pieces available at www.irenevoros.com

Latin Tracks

Susan Griesdale

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Trios, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Intermediate/Late Intermediate (Gr 5-7)

Level 4/5 - A catchy Latin Rhythm in cut time to get those feet tapping! (NFMC)

• NFMC Bulletin (USA)

O'Yeah!

Susan Griesdale

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Trios, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Grade 3 Level. A laid back, easy going tempo, this syncopated trio requires players to snap their fingers all together! Great fun!  (NFMC)

• NFMC Bulletin (USA)

Old MacDonald had the Blues

Rebekah Maxner

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Traditional tunes with a popular twist!

• Late Elementary to Intermediate (Levels 1 to 4)
• Familiar tunes arranged in today’s popular styles
• Jazz, blues, Latin, swing, expressive pop piano and more!
• 12 piano solos

Piano students love to learn and play music that sounds familiar to them. In Old MacDonald had the Blues you will discover a fusion of well-known tunes and popular musical styles. Try your hand at Jazz, Blues, Soft Rock, Ragtime, Latin, and more. Clever and fun, these pieces promise to become recital and festival favourites!

REVIEWS

“Each piece in the collection is catchy and fun!” ~ Natalie Weber, Music Matters Blog, CA

“I’m looking forward to using it with my boys.”  – Pete Jutras, GA

“Just a quick note to tell you that my student Madeleine who…bought a copy of “Old MacDonald had the Blues” last week has already learned three of the pieces on her own…. Hope that makes you smile. :)” ~ Elizabeth, NS

“…one of my students in particular is impressed with the Old MacDonald book…. Again this week he remarked that, ‘She makes them all sound so interesting.’” ~ Janice, ON

Pacific Passages

Irene Voros

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

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

PACIFIC PASSAGES ...

8 Late Intermediate Piano Solos celebrating the serenity and majesty of the Pacific Northwest. Imagine the captivating beauty of a beautiful coastline, stunning mountain ranges, and a vast open ocean as you interpret these evocative works. (* Conservatory Canada)

Level 5: Lighthouse*, Rain Drops*

Level 6: Open Water*, Pacific Sunset*

Level 7: Snow Peaks*, White Caps*

Level 8: Morning Glory*, Rugged Coastline*

Individual E-Pieces available at www.irenevoros.com

Rags to Riches

Beverly Porter

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Rhythm Band

Susan Griesdale

Categories: Piano Duets, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Level 2/3:  Rock on! A duet for those who want that pounding beat. In cut time it's easy to achieve that Rock band feeling!  (NFMC)

• NFMC Bulletin (USA)

Rock That Train

Rebekah Maxner

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Music inspired by Harry Connick Jr., Michael Kaeshammer, The Rankins, Twenty One Pilots, The Beatles and more!

Enthusiasm for a piece encourages love for music, for the piano, and propels the child’s desire to practice and advance.

• Late Elementary to Early Intermediate (Levels 1 to 3)
• 11 Piano Solos
• Inspired by today’s popular styles
• Jazz, boogie, rock, expressive pop piano

When a student loves a piece, it shows! Enthusiasm for a piece encourages love for music, for the piano, and propels the child’s desire to practice and advance. This is a collection of pieces I’ve been developing over several years; favourites that have brought smiles to my students’ faces and had toes tapping in recitals. This volume is for the love of music. Enjoy!

Rock This Town

Rebekah Maxner

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B

Music that sparks joy and excitement!

• Elementary to Late Elementary piano (Prep B to Level 1)
• 11 Original piano works inspired by popular styles
• Rock and roll, jazz, blues, expressive pop piano
• 6 Piano solos
• 4 Solos with optional teacher duets
• 1 Elementary duet (1P4H)

You will enjoy the melodies with the fun duets! Music that girl and boy students will love!

Rock this Town is the Elementary book of the Rock Collection Series, a stepping stone between Rock the Boat (Early Elementary) and Rock that Train (Late Elementary to Early Intermediate).

In this volume, Preparatory and Level 1 piano students get to play current music that dances and sings! With piano solos, solos with optional duets, and a spattering of lyrics and illustrations, this book makes the transition to more mature-sounding music, while remaining simple in rhythm and key. The duet ‘Black Tie Showdown’ is a new key pattern showstopper.

REVIEWS

"[You] will find pieces that will encourage exploration of the entire keyboard, chromatic passages, different time signatures, key centres, varying rhythm combinations and time signatures. You will also find opportunities for rote learning....The pieces in Rock This Town will set up much conversation, imagery, creativity and fun!" ~ Jennifer Foxx, Music Educator Resources blog

Scenes of San Francisco

Amy Stephens

Categories: Piano Collections/Books, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

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

6 pieces, 28 pages. This Third Stream suite combines classical form with jazz language and rhythm in six sophisticated pieces depicting the composer's favorite places around San Francisco, one of the most fascinating cities in the world! These intricate pieces are great for recitals, competitions and adjudications. The collection has been an award-winner in the International Association of Women in Music's Search for New Music, American Prize, SMP Press and Composers Today composition competitions. 1. Golden Gate, 2. Race from Alcatraz, 3. Among the Mighty Redwoods, 4. The Lighthouse, 5. A Saturday Stroll, 6. The Setting Sun

The Threesome Blues

Susan Griesdale

Categories: Piano Trios, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Early Elementary/Beginner/Prep A/B

A trio for Pre-reading level, once the students find their position on the keys, they will have fun playing this bluesy tune together. Great for developing listening skills at an early level!

Three to Tango

Susan Griesdale

Categories: NFMC Bulletin (US), Piano Trios, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Blues

Levels: Elementary/Early Intermediate (Gr 1-4)

Level 2:  Three to Tango has the players jumping over and under their partners hands! (NFMC)

• (CSS) Contemporary Showcase Syllabus
• NFMC Bulletin (USA)