Christmas Carol Activity Book -- Pre-reading Cover Image

Christmas Carol Activity Book -- Pre-reading: Piano Book

$9.99 USD
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Christmas Carol Activity Book -- Pre-reading Cover Image

Christmas Carol Activity Book -- Pre-reading: Piano Book

10 Christmas Favorites with Corresponding Musical Activity Pages for the Beginning Pianist

Arr. Gayle Kowalchyk and E. L. Lancaster

Level: Early Elementary

Item: 00-18197

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Description
Beginning students who've only had a few weeks of piano study will happily explore these fun-filled activity pages while they learn to play their favorite carols (arranged in middle C position with pre-reading music notation and easy rhythms). Optional teacher/parent duet parts enrich the overall sound and provide rhythmic security. The activity pages reinforce music theory and musical terms through games, puzzles and more. Definitely merry and bright!

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 32
ISBN10: 0-7390-0530-8
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-0530-9
UPC: 038081175188
SKU: 00-18197

More about this title

About the Arranger: Gayle Kowalchyk

Gayle Kowalchyk

Dr. Gayle Kowalchyk has shaped piano pedagogy across three decades through teaching, publishing, and professional leadership. She holds degrees in piano performance from Ohio University and Northwestern University, and earned an Ed.D. in piano pedagogy from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her academic career includes faculty positions at Eastern Illinois University, Oklahoma Baptist University, the University of Oklahoma, and California State University, Northridge, where she teaches class piano and piano pedagogy. She has presented at major national conferences including MTNA, MENC, the National Piano Teachers Institute, and the World Piano Pedagogy Conference.

With her husband Dr. E. L. Lancaster, Dr. Kowalchyk has authored over 300 educational piano publications, among them Alfred's Premier Piano Course and Music for Little Mozarts. Her work reflects deep understanding of how young pianists learn, balancing musical engagement with pedagogical clarity. She continues to serve as a clinician for Alfred Music and maintains an active presence in piano education nationally.

Why we love this

These arrangements capture the joy of holiday music without overwhelming beginners. The middle C position framework, paired with pre-reading notation and simple rhythms, means students encounter carols they know and love rather than unfamiliar learning pieces. The included activity pages double down on engagement by embedding music theory concepts through games and puzzles, so practice time becomes genuinely fun instead of drill.

What to expect

Warm and encouraging, with the comfort of beloved carols arranged in a way that feels achievable rather than intimidating. Each page celebrates what students can do right now, turning early progress into genuine musical moments.

Who it's for

Beginning piano students who have completed a few weeks of study and are ready to move beyond single-note exercises into recognizable melodies. Parents and teachers seeking repertoire that motivates young pianists through familiar holiday material rather than abstract learning pieces will find these arrangements ideal.

How to get the most out of it

  • Explore the optional teacher/parent duet parts during early rehearsals to establish a steady tempo and help your student internalize rhythmic patterns without pressure to read ahead.
  • Work through the activity pages alongside the musical selections; reinforcing theory concepts in written form deepens understanding of what the hands are playing.
  • Encourage students to play the carols at comfortable tempos and without perfectionistic expectations, since joy and confidence matter more than flawless execution at this stage.

How to use it

Use these arrangements as holiday lesson material during November and December, or assign them as part-time repertoire alongside a student's regular method book progression. The supplementary nature makes them perfect for brightening practice routines without derailing overall curriculum, and their festive context gives students concrete reasons to practice.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading notes in middle C position
  • Playing simple rhythmic patterns (quarter notes, half notes, whole notes)
  • Music theory concepts through written activities and notation
  • Sight-reading confidence with familiar melodies
  • Ensemble balance when playing with teacher/parent accompaniment

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