Christmas Encores, Book 2: Intermediate/Late Intermediate Piano Book

Bober's arrangements give intermediate students real holiday repertoire without condescension. She lets these familiar carols breathe with tasteful accompaniments and harmonic interest, so players feel they're interpreting genuine music rather than simplified versions. The collection hits the sweet spot for December recitals, church services, or student showcase programs.

Warm, reverent, and genuinely musical. These arrangements honor the emotional weight of beloved carols while offering pianists satisfying technical and interpretive challenges. The writing feels approachable but never trivial.

Intermediate to late intermediate pianists ready for repertoire beyond simplified arrangements. This collection works for students preparing recital pieces, participating in church services, or wanting to expand their holiday performance catalog.

• Shape each carol's melody with the same care you'd give a Chopin Prelude. These aren't background music; they deserve thoughtful phrasing and dynamic control.
• Balance the accompaniment textures so they support rather than overshadow the tune. Let your left hand serve the melody's story.
• Slow carols like 'Silent Night' and 'Away in a Manger' reward careful pedaling. Experiment with changing pedal at phrase breaks rather than every beat.
• Find the rhythmic character that fits each carol. 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen' has different energy than 'What Child Is This?'

Position this in your December concert as a bridge between student solos and ensemble pieces, or feature several selections as part of a holiday-themed recital. Individual arrangements also work beautifully as offertory music in school or church settings, allowing advanced intermediate students meaningful performance opportunities during the season.

• Voicing and independence of hands in block and broken chord accompaniments
• Shaping melodic lines within traditional harmonic structures
• Pedal technique for sustaining multiple harmonic layers
• Expressive control at slower tempos
• Sight-reading confidence with familiar melodic material