Contest Winners for Three, Book 1: 6 Piano Trios from the Alfred, Belwin, and Myklas Libraries: Piano

Familiar melodies arranged for three hands create a sense of immediate musicality and satisfaction. The trios balance accessibility with genuine harmonic and rhythmic interest, so students feel they're playing real music rather than exercises.

Elementary and late elementary piano students ready to explore ensemble playing without the complexity of advanced chamber music. This book works well for students preparing for festival competition or those who simply thrive when making music with peers.

• Balance the three parts by having each pianist play through their line separately first, then gradually add voices one at a time to ensure no single part dominates the texture.
• Use the approximate difficulty ordering as your guide for introducing pieces progressively through the year, building confidence before moving to later selections.
• Experiment with seating arrangements (triangle vs. linear) to find the configuration that gives each pianist the best sightlines for ensemble playing.

Assign selections as duet/trio homework assignments throughout the year, culminating in at least one ensemble performance at a school concert or festival. The graded structure makes it easy to stagger which trios different student combinations tackle, allowing you to manage preparation across ability levels.

• Reading three-part texture and maintaining independence within ensemble texture
• Coordinating tempo and dynamics across multiple performers
• Sight-reading fluency in familiar melodies arranged for new contexts
• Part-playing confidence on piano without reliance on melody dominance