This past weekend I held my fifth spring recital. Each year I try to do something a little different. This year the first half featured student solos, and the second half was collaborative pieces.
In this post, I’ll share a few video clips of student performances and a list of some of the resources I used for collaborative music.
There were several duets, one-piano six-hands, and two-piano eight-hand pieces. Besides a couple of duets here and there, this is the first time I’ve had all my students collaborate.
Learning to play with someone is a skill in itself, and I can say that, without a doubt, all my students felt challenged and yet completely rewarded in the end. Parents and students alike can’t stop saying how much they enjoyed the collaborations. I can already tell my studio families will be expecting a lot more of this from now on, and I’m excited as well!
Books I PULLED FROM
My favorites!
Bravo Brasilia by Glenda Austin
Current Hits for Two by Dan Coates
Music for Sharing by Margaret Goldston
Grand Trios for Piano by Melody Bober
Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey arr. for 2 Pianos / 8 Hands by Melody Bober
Pattern Play by Akiko and Forrest Kinney
Others
First Favorite Duets by Lynn Freeman Olson
Duet Favorites by Jane Bastien
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Ensemble Book Complete
If you’re interested in the studio awards I hand out after the recital, check out the Studio Awards Policies and Procedures post.
I hope your recital(s) went off without a hitch!
