Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Universal Edition Theory Book 1A: Piano Book
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Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Universal Edition Theory Book 1A: Piano Book
By Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco
Level: 1A
Item: 00-6491
$9.99
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Description
The Universal Edition is designed for all English-speaking countries outside of the United States, including Canada, the U. K., and Australia. This edition uses the British system of terminology for rhythmic values such as "crotchet" for quarter note. Designed to coordinate page-by-page with the Lesson Books. Contains enjoyable games and quizzes that reinforce the principles presented in the Lesson Books. Students can increase their musical understanding while they are away from the keyboard.
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About the Authors
Dr. Willard Palmer stands as an internationally celebrated musician, educator, and scholar who composed 789 published works spanning multiple instruments and genres. His compositions include methods for piano, accordion, guitar, and Hammond Chord Organ, along with numerous solo pieces and choral arrangements. Many of his works have been translated into German, Japanese, French, Dutch, and Spanish. For many years, he served as choir director at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas.
Palmer's musical gifts emerged early; he performed piano on radio broadcasts at age 13 and went on to study both piano and accordion under Mae Vardeman, who cultivated his improvisational skills through rigorous technique training. His college years at Whitworth College and Millsaps College included regular radio performances and ensemble work. After earning his Bachelor's degree from Millsaps, he pursued advanced study at the Conservatory of Leipzig, Germany, on a prestigious two-year scholarship, then completed post-graduate work at the University of Houston.
At the University of Houston, Palmer taught the first successful college-level accordion courses for 18 years and later devoted himself to research in Classical and Baroque music. His expertise in Baroque ornamentation became internationally recognized and informed the acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series. The scholarly community honored his contributions with a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983. Palmer held memberships in the American Federation of Musicians Local #65, the American Accordionists' Association, and ASCAP, and served as a director of the Riemenschneider Bach Institute.
Palmer's musical gifts emerged early; he performed piano on radio broadcasts at age 13 and went on to study both piano and accordion under Mae Vardeman, who cultivated his improvisational skills through rigorous technique training. His college years at Whitworth College and Millsaps College included regular radio performances and ensemble work. After earning his Bachelor's degree from Millsaps, he pursued advanced study at the Conservatory of Leipzig, Germany, on a prestigious two-year scholarship, then completed post-graduate work at the University of Houston.
At the University of Houston, Palmer taught the first successful college-level accordion courses for 18 years and later devoted himself to research in Classical and Baroque music. His expertise in Baroque ornamentation became internationally recognized and informed the acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series. The scholarly community honored his contributions with a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983. Palmer held memberships in the American Federation of Musicians Local #65, the American Accordionists' Association, and ASCAP, and served as a director of the Riemenschneider Bach Institute.
Morton Manus served as president of Alfred Music Publishing Co., Inc. throughout his tenure from 1952 to 2016. He inherited the company from his father Sam, who had founded Manus Music in 1922 during New York's Tin Pan Alley era and later merged it with Alfred & Company in 1930. A clarinetist and pianist himself, Morty joined the family business in the late 1940s after earning a business degree from City College of New York.
During the 1950s, Manus fundamentally transformed Alfred Music's direction toward music education. He spearheaded the creation of instructional series for accordion, guitar, piano, and recorder, shifting the company from a sheet music publisher into a leader in educational music products. This strategic vision drove substantial growth over the following decades and eventually necessitated major expansion, leading to the company's relocation to Los Angeles in 1975 and a separate distribution center in upstate New York.
Manus's sons Ron and Steve carried forward the company's growth trajectory, joining in 1988 and 1992 respectively. Under their leadership alongside Morty, Alfred Music expanded globally with offices in Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The company continued strengthening its position through significant acquisitions, including Warner Bros. Publications in 2005, which brought the EMI Catalogue Partnership into the Alfred Music family.
During the 1950s, Manus fundamentally transformed Alfred Music's direction toward music education. He spearheaded the creation of instructional series for accordion, guitar, piano, and recorder, shifting the company from a sheet music publisher into a leader in educational music products. This strategic vision drove substantial growth over the following decades and eventually necessitated major expansion, leading to the company's relocation to Los Angeles in 1975 and a separate distribution center in upstate New York.
Manus's sons Ron and Steve carried forward the company's growth trajectory, joining in 1988 and 1992 respectively. Under their leadership alongside Morty, Alfred Music expanded globally with offices in Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The company continued strengthening its position through significant acquisitions, including Warner Bros. Publications in 2005, which brought the EMI Catalogue Partnership into the Alfred Music family.
Dr. Amanda Vick Lethco is best known as co-author of Alfred's Basic Piano Library, one of the world's most celebrated piano methods, developed alongside Dr. Willard Palmer and Morton Manus. She earned degrees from Northwestern University including bachelor's degrees in piano performance and music education, plus a master's degree in piano performance. Her advanced studies took her to prestigious institutions including Juilliard with James Friskin, Chicago Musical College with Rudolph Ganz, and Columbia University with Douglas Moore.
At the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Lethco served as Professor Emeritus of Piano Pedagogy, shaping the next generation of music educators. Beyond her academic role, she maintained an active performance and teaching career, offering recitals across the United States and maintaining private studios in New York City, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi honored her with a Doctor of Humanities degree.
Dr. Lethco's influence extended globally through her work as a clinician and workshop presenter. She conducted seminars at universities and conventions throughout the country and led international workshops in Europe, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Her collaborative work with Dr. Willard Palmer included co-authoring Creating Music at the Piano. Her distinguished career is recognized in both the International Who's Who of Musicians and the World Who's Who of Women.
At the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Lethco served as Professor Emeritus of Piano Pedagogy, shaping the next generation of music educators. Beyond her academic role, she maintained an active performance and teaching career, offering recitals across the United States and maintaining private studios in New York City, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi honored her with a Doctor of Humanities degree.
Dr. Lethco's influence extended globally through her work as a clinician and workshop presenter. She conducted seminars at universities and conventions throughout the country and led international workshops in Europe, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Her collaborative work with Dr. Willard Palmer included co-authoring Creating Music at the Piano. Her distinguished career is recognized in both the International Who's Who of Musicians and the World Who's Who of Women.