Alfred's Basic Piano Prep Course: Universal Edition Lesson Book A: Piano Book & CD
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Alfred's Basic Piano Prep Course: Universal Edition Lesson Book A: Piano Book & CD
For the Young Beginner
By Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco
Level: A
Item: 00-6493
$10.99
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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. This course is most effective when used under the direction of a piano teacher or experienced musician.
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About the Authors
Dr. Willard Palmer stands as an internationally celebrated musician, educator, and scholar who created an extraordinary body of work spanning 789 published compositions. His output encompasses accordion and piano methods, a Hammond Chord Organ method, a guitar method, numerous solo pieces, and choral works 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 journey began remarkably early when he performed piano on radio at age 13, demonstrating prodigious talent. Piano instruction from Mae Vardeman proved formative, as she instilled rigorous technique while fostering his natural gift for improvisation. During his college years at Whitworth College and Millsaps College in Mississippi, he performed accordion and piano on regional radio broadcasts and in campus ensembles. Following his bachelor's degree from Millsaps, he earned a two-year scholarship to study at the Conservatory of Leipzig in Germany, then completed post-graduate work at the University of Houston.
Palmer's scholarly focus eventually centered on Classical and Baroque music research and pedagogy, earning him worldwide recognition as a leading authority on Baroque ornamentation. His expertise formed the foundation for the celebrated Alfred Masterworks series. The University of Houston honored his contributions by awarding him a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983. He spent 18 years developing and teaching the university's pioneering college accordion program, directed the Riemenschneider Bach Institute, and held memberships in the American Federation of Musicians Local 65, American Accordionists' Association, and ASCAP.
Palmer's musical journey began remarkably early when he performed piano on radio at age 13, demonstrating prodigious talent. Piano instruction from Mae Vardeman proved formative, as she instilled rigorous technique while fostering his natural gift for improvisation. During his college years at Whitworth College and Millsaps College in Mississippi, he performed accordion and piano on regional radio broadcasts and in campus ensembles. Following his bachelor's degree from Millsaps, he earned a two-year scholarship to study at the Conservatory of Leipzig in Germany, then completed post-graduate work at the University of Houston.
Palmer's scholarly focus eventually centered on Classical and Baroque music research and pedagogy, earning him worldwide recognition as a leading authority on Baroque ornamentation. His expertise formed the foundation for the celebrated Alfred Masterworks series. The University of Houston honored his contributions by awarding him a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983. He spent 18 years developing and teaching the university's pioneering college accordion program, directed the Riemenschneider Bach Institute, and held memberships in the American Federation of Musicians Local 65, American Accordionists' Association, and ASCAP.
Morton Manus served as president of Alfred Music Publishing Co., Inc. for over six decades, from 1952 to 2016. He inherited a company founded by his father Sam in 1922 as Manus Music, which had merged with Alfred & Company in 1930. A clarinetist and pianist himself, Manus held a business degree from City College of New York and joined the family enterprise in the late 1940s.
During his tenure, Manus fundamentally transformed Alfred Music from a popular sheet music publisher into a comprehensive music education company. He spearheaded the creation of instructional series across multiple instruments, beginning with accordion and expanding to guitar, piano, and recorder. This strategic shift positioned Alfred Music as a leader in music education materials and drove significant growth throughout the 1950s and beyond.
Under Manus's leadership, the company expanded dramatically on both national and international scales. The headquarters relocated from New York to Los Angeles in 1975 to accommodate growth, while his sons Ron and Steve joined the business in 1988 and 1992 respectively. Together they established Alfred Music offices across Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the UK, and in 2005 completed the acquisition of Warner Bros. Publications, substantially broadening the company's catalog and reach.
During his tenure, Manus fundamentally transformed Alfred Music from a popular sheet music publisher into a comprehensive music education company. He spearheaded the creation of instructional series across multiple instruments, beginning with accordion and expanding to guitar, piano, and recorder. This strategic shift positioned Alfred Music as a leader in music education materials and drove significant growth throughout the 1950s and beyond.
Under Manus's leadership, the company expanded dramatically on both national and international scales. The headquarters relocated from New York to Los Angeles in 1975 to accommodate growth, while his sons Ron and Steve joined the business in 1988 and 1992 respectively. Together they established Alfred Music offices across Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the UK, and in 2005 completed the acquisition of Warner Bros. Publications, substantially broadening the company's catalog and reach.
Dr. Amanda Vick Lethco co-authored Alfred's Basic Piano Library, one of the world's most recognized piano methods, alongside Dr. Willard Palmer and Morton Manus. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, Bachelor of Music Education degree, and Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Northwestern University. Her advanced studies took her to prestigious institutions including Juilliard, where she studied with James Friskin, as well as Chicago Musical College, Columbia University, and private instruction in Houston.
As Professor Emeritus of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Lethco distinguished herself through teaching, performance, and educational leadership. She received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and maintained a private teaching practice in New York City, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Her concert career included recital performances throughout the United States, establishing her reputation as both performer and educator.
Dr. Lethco's influence extended internationally through clinician appearances at numerous American conventions and workshops conducted across Europe, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, and Indonesia. She collaborated with Dr. Willard Palmer on Creating Music at the Piano and earned recognition in the International Who's Who of Musicians and the World Who's Who of Women.
As Professor Emeritus of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Lethco distinguished herself through teaching, performance, and educational leadership. She received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and maintained a private teaching practice in New York City, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Her concert career included recital performances throughout the United States, establishing her reputation as both performer and educator.
Dr. Lethco's influence extended internationally through clinician appearances at numerous American conventions and workshops conducted across Europe, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, and Indonesia. She collaborated with Dr. Willard Palmer on Creating Music at the Piano and earned recognition in the International Who's Who of Musicians and the World Who's Who of Women.