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Circus Capers: Piano Sheet

$3.50 USD
$3.50 USD
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Circus Capers Cover Image
Circus Capers: Piano Sheet

Circus Capers: Piano Sheet

By Dennis Alexander

Level: Late Elementary

Item: 00-39433
$3.50
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Description
All the fun of a circus is recreated in this humorous solo that features a melody that is tossed back and forth between the hands. The introduction begins with the sounds of the Big Top---a trill-like figure is divided between the hands and heralds the entrance of the show. Legato and staccato are used throughout the piece, making it an excellent study in articulation. The key of G major and the 4/4 meter compliment the mood of the piece.

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Additional Details
Series: Signature Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 4
ISBN10: 0-7390-9119-0
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-9119-7
UPC: 038081442440
SKU: 00-39433

More about this title

About the Composer: Dennis Alexander

Dennis Alexander

Dennis Alexander has established himself as a cornerstone voice in educational piano composition since 1986, when he began his partnership with Alfred Music Publishing. His catalog of more than 400 published works and recordings reflects a gift for writing music that meets students where they are while keeping them genuinely engaged. Beyond the page, Alexander has shaped piano pedagogy directly: he spent 24 years teaching piano and pedagogy at the University of Montana (where he chaired the piano department), then continued his teaching career at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge before relocating to Albuquerque, where he maintains an active schedule as a composer and clinician.

Alexander's reach extends far beyond the United States. A graduate of the University of Kansas, he made his New York recital debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1987 and has since toured as soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician across Asia, performing and leading workshops in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea. He has served as a collaborative artist with internationally recognized soloists and has been a frequent guest clinician at state and national music teachers conventions. His contributions to the field have earned him commissions from numerous organizations and widespread recognition as one of the most prolific and respected composers of educational piano music for students at all levels.

Why we love this

Alexander writes with a dancer's sense of phrasing and showmanship; the hand-to-hand melody toss keeps students engaged while the interplay of legato and staccato articulation teaches real control without feeling like drudgery. The theatrical setup and G major tonality make this feel like a genuine performance piece rather than an exercise, which means late elementary students will actually want to play it multiple times.

What to expect

Whimsical and theatrical, with the infectious energy of a traveling show rolling into town. The opening trill captures the anticipation of the Big Top, while the playful melody trading between hands creates a sense of movement and lighthearted conversation that carries through to the final note.

Who it's for

Late elementary pianists ready to explore character pieces with personality and technical purpose. Students who have developed basic hand independence and can manage articulation changes will find plenty of material to explore here without being overwhelmed by dense harmonic or rhythmic demands.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the trill-like introduction figure with clarity and precision between the hands before accelerating; let each hand speak distinctly so the circus atmosphere emerges naturally.
  • Mark the articulation shifts (legato to staccato transitions) in your score with a colored pencil; this visual reminder prevents reversion to a uniform touch under performance pressure.
  • Maintain steady 4/4 pulse throughout the hand exchanges; a light metronome at moderate tempo helps ensure the melody doesn't rush when passing between hands.
  • Shape the melody contour even when it migrates between hands; listeners should hear one coherent musical line, not two separate parts trading off.

How to use it

Ideal for end-of-year recitals where you want a showstopper that showcases articulation control and hand independence without being technically forbidding. The piece also works well in a mixed-level program where younger students can anchor the lighter, more theatrical segment of the concert.

Skills your students will build

  • Alternating legato and staccato articulation within a single piece
  • Hand-to-hand melodic exchange and coordination
  • Sustaining a coherent musical line across hand boundaries
  • Trill technique and finger independence
  • Performance confidence in character-driven repertoire

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