Today is my birthday, and I want to offer a birthday gift as part of my celebrations, which are certainly low-key this year, as might be expected!
For those who teach the piano, or are just learning to play, I hope this free download will provide useful repertoire material. I wrote An Angel’s Footsteps a few years ago and have since tinkered with it on several occasions. This piece is around Grade 2 standard, or elementary level, and was inspired by a comment from a colleague about the need for imaginative piano pieces for the early learning stages.
I really enjoy writing music for students, and loved creating the pre-Grade 1 syllabus for the London College of Music Examination Board, which will be published within the next few months. It’s quite a challenge to write for beginners, and the LCM offers three syllabi for these students; Pre-Prep, Step 1 and Step 2. Containing original works and arrangements by myself, the new syllabus also features original compositions written by a selection of renowned educational piano composers, many of whom have composed pieces especially. I’ll write more about it in due course.
I’ve recently written a new repertoire series which is also intended for virtual beginners; I’m very excited about its release, which will mark my ‘debut’ as a writer/composer in the US. And, whilst on the subject of new books, keep an eye out for my new graded three-book anthology to be released in the Autumn, which will be published by Schott Music.
I’m hoping An Angel’s Footsteps will be published in a collection next year, but in the meantime, as a sneak preview, please feel free to download the score by clicking on the link below – and share it with your friends, colleagues and students. I hope the attached sound file is helpful, too!
My publications:
For much more information about how to practice piano repertoire, take a look at my piano course, Play it again: PIANO (published by Schott Music). Covering a huge array of styles and genres, the course features a large collection of progressive, graded piano repertoire from approximately Grade 1 to advanced diploma level, with copious practice tips for every piece. A convenient and beneficial course for students of any age, with or without a teacher, and it can also be used alongside piano examination syllabuses too.
You can find out more about my other piano publications and compositions here.
Hi Melanie, Many thanks for sharing, and a fabulous birthday!
Thank you, Helena!