Carol Matz's Favorite Solos, Book 2: Piano Book

Matz writes for the student mind, not down to it. Each piece in this collection tackles a concrete, relatable subject (chocolate, koalas, secret agents, a bake sale) with musical inventiveness and harmonic color that keeps late elementary pianists engaged both in the practice room and at recitals. Directors and teachers who have used her work know they can trust her voice to deliver pieces that students actually want to play.

These pieces balance whimsy with genuine musicality. You will encounter ragtime rhythms, jazzy harmonies, and imaginative textures that feel modern and accessible, yet never cartoonish. The variety of mood (from the sneaky vibe of Secret Agents to the wonder of Starry Night) keeps the collection fresh across multiple listenings.

This collection suits late elementary and early intermediate pianists ready to move beyond basic repertoire into more character-driven pieces. Teachers seeking reliable recital solos and students who enjoy story-based music will find plenty to explore across the eight selections.

• Pay attention to the character marking at the top of each piece. Matz uses descriptive language to set the mood (playful, mysterious, gentle) and these directions guide your tempo and tone choices.
• Take time with rhythmic syncopation in pieces like Little Ragtime Waltz. The syncopation defines the style, so lock it in slowly before adding tempo.
• Explore the dynamics within each phrase. Matz's scoring often uses subtle dynamic shifts to shape the musical line, especially in pieces with lyrical sections like Starry Night.

Use these solos to build a recital that speaks directly to your students' lives and imaginations. Mix and match pieces to create thematic programs (a nature recital with Starry Night and A Very Rare Koala Bear, a whimsical program with If the World Were Made of Chocolate and Cats! Cats! Everywhere, Cats!), or program individual pieces as variety in larger concerts.

• Character interpretation through descriptive tempo and dynamic markings
• Syncopated rhythm reading and performance (ragtime/jazz elements)
• Hand independence with lyrical melody and rhythmic accompaniment
• Left-hand pattern recognition and fluency across multiple keys
• Phrase shaping and musical storytelling at the elementary level