Concertino in Jazz Styles including "Blue Light Special", "Starlight Jazz", and "Strolling Along the Boardwalk" - Piano Duo (2 Pianos, 4 Hands): Piano Duo (2 Pianos, 4 Hands)
Solo with Piano Accompaniment
By Martha Mier
Level: Late Elementary
Item: 00-PS-0017642
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Description
Pianists at the late elementary level will experience a variety of jazz rhythms and styles in Martha Mier's Concertino in Jazz Styles. The first movement features a lyrical melodic line in the solo part accompanied by syncopated rhythms and seventh-chord harmonies in the accompaniment. The second movement is a jazz waltz, while the third movement captures the feeling of a jaunty walk with its uneven eighth notes. This concertino provides a refreshing introduction to elements of jazz and is a welcome addition to concertos for late elementary students. Movements: Blue Light Special * Starlight Jazz * Strolling Along the Boardwalk. A Federation Festivals 2024-2028 selection.
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Additional Details
Series:
Student Concertos
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PS-0017642
More about this title
About the Composer: Martha Mier
Martha Mier has been composing educational piano music for nearly four decades, building a catalog that reaches students across all proficiency levels. Her work with Alfred Music Publishing since 1989 has established her as a prolific voice in music education, with over 200 publications to her name. She holds national certification as a piano teacher and remains active as a clinician and adjudicator, having led workshops internationally and at major conferences including the Music Teachers National Association Conference and World Piano Pedagogy Conference.
Mier's background includes directing her own piano studio in Lake City, Florida, where she accumulated years of insight into what students need to stay engaged and grow musically. Her contributions to the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festival Bulletin and her co-authorship of Alfred's Premier Piano Course reflect her deep commitment to classroom-tested repertoire. She holds membership in the Music Teachers National Association, the Florida State Music Teachers Association, and the National Guild of Piano Teachers, grounding her work in the practical realities of teaching.
Why we love this
Mier writes jazz language that feels natural in students' hands rather than imposed on them. The three contrasting movements keep late elementary pianists engaged while introducing seventh chords, syncopation, and uneven eighth notes with genuine musical purpose, not just technical exercise. It's the kind of concertino that makes both performers sound stylistically aware.
What to expect
Three snapshots of jazz attitude in miniature. "Blue Light Special" opens with a lyrical solo underpinned by chromatic seventh chords; "Starlight Jazz" swings as a waltz; "Strolling Along the Boardwalk" bounces with the casual confidence of a promenade. The work captures jazz's conversational quality without demanding advanced technique.
Who it's for
Late elementary pianists ready to explore jazz idioms with a partner. Duet players will find here a rewarding introduction to syncopation, seventh chords, and swing rhythms within repertoire that respects their developing technique.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the syncopated accompaniment against the lyrical solo line in the first movement; the piano duo sound succeeds when neither part dominates the jazz feel.
- Shape the jazz waltz of the second movement with rubato that mirrors how a vocalist would breathe, letting the harmonic movement breathe naturally.
- Let the uneven eighth notes in the final movement establish a relaxed, unhurried quality rather than rushing; the jaunty character comes from rhythmic ease, not speed.
How to use it
Pair this with classical or contemporary concertos in a recital to demonstrate range in style and period. The Federation Festivals designation makes it ideal for festival competition programming, where it shows off students' versatility. It also serves as a bridge piece that moves students from classical training into jazz literacy.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing seventh chord harmonies in jazz context
- Playing syncopated rhythms with accuracy and stylistic ease
- Interpreting uneven eighth notes and swing feel
- Balancing melody and accompaniment in a duo setting
- Responding to jazz phrasing and rubato conventions
- Collaborating as ensemble partners in a concertino structure