Competitions have always been a popular fixture in music. Whether you agree with them or not, contests have taken place since the beginning of time, and it’s often the case that the ‘best’ person doesn’t necessarily win; music, being so subjective, is open to many interpretations and, often, beyond technical issues, it’s all a matter…
Tag: Educational Piano Music
My work as a composer: Wendy Edwards Beardall-Norton
My guest writer today is Canadian composer and teacher Wendy Edwards Beardall-Norton. Wendy has taught the piano for over 40 years and, more recently, she has been writing music for it. In this article she describes her journey towards composition, and how she became a published composer. You can also enjoy her music by hearing…
A String of Pearls
It’s always a happy experience when one’s work is published, irrespective of the publication or publisher. But this new volume (pictured to the left) is a really exciting one for me. In 2017, pianists and teachers Alla Levit and Antonina Lax invited me to write a piano duet for one of their forthcoming UK tours….
Snapchats Duets & Trios
Snapchats was originally a collection of short piano duets which was published a few years ago. This volume has now been republished and updated, with the inclusion of extra duets and some trios too; it’s most definitely bigger and better than ever! Snapchats are intended for students from late beginner standard to approximately Grade 4…
No Words Necessary Competition
This week Pianist Magazine and Schott Music are kindly running a competition on Pianist’s website; the prize is a copy of my new piano pieces, No Words Necessary published by Schott Music. This volume features 12 original piano pieces intended for students of around Grade 3 – 6 of the ABRSM examination board level. These…
No Words Necessary: 12 Piano Pieces
This new collection, No Words Necessary, marks my debut as a Schott Music composer, and it consists of a selection of twelve piano pieces for intermediate level, or for students of approximately Grades 3 – 6 standard of the ABRSM, Trinity College London or London College of Music exams. I wrote the pieces earlier this…
A Canadian Playlist by Maggie Morrison
My guest writer this week is Canadian pianist, teacher, adjudicator and musicologist Maggie Morrison. Maggie (pictured below) is studying for her doctorate at the University of Toronto, where she is researching the piano music of Canadian composer David L. McIntyre. I asked her what qualities pervade David’s music and what drew her to study the…
Weekend Competition: the winners
Many thanks to all who took part in my weekend competition. There were three books on offer this weekend, all from Faber Music’s immense library: Ultimate Piano Solos, and The Easy Piano Series, Film and Shows. The winners are: Miriam wins the Ultimate Piano Solos Jennifer Foxx wins The Easy Piano Series: Film Kathy Thompson…
Indian Raags for piano, by John Pitts
My guest writer today is British composer John Pitts. John has recently published two volumes of Indian classical raags for the piano. I asked him to shed light on the rationale behind his books and explain why they might be of interest to students and teachers. Back in the mid-1990s I spent a year in…
A Royal Double Bill
I live in Windsor, which is situated in Berkshire, around 20 miles to the west of London. I settled here four years ago and it’s a delightful place. However, this week my small town has become the centre of the universe (or so it seems), and it’s been almost impossible to walk out of the…
Melanie Spanswick 