Contest Winners for Three, Book 2: Piano Trio (1 Piano, 6 Hands) Book

These pieces lean into American vernacular and accessible classical language. You'll find rhythmic energy in the hoedowns and fiddler-inspired titles, gentle charm in Aloha Bay, and light-hearted elegance in the Mozart-styled romp. The music feels unpretentious and fun to play, built for the pleasure of making sound together rather than technical showmanship.

Piano trios seeking repertoire that sits comfortably in the late elementary to early intermediate range without sacrificing musical substance. Teachers building a festival or competition program will appreciate the curated selection and the clear progression in difficulty across the book.

• Balance the three hands carefully during runs and passages where one hand carries the melody while the other two maintain accompaniment; use pedal thoughtfully to blur texture without muddying clarity.
• Work the rhythmic independence of each part separately before combining them, especially in pieces like Romp a la Mozart where rhythmic precision drives the character.
• Use the concert and contest context as motivation to refine small details: dynamic shaping, articulation consistency across all three hands, and secure page turns.

Open a recital or festival performance with one of the livelier pieces (Hoedown Tonight! or Romp a la Mozart) to showcase ensemble energy, or tuck a single selection into a mixed-level piano concert where late elementary trios perform alongside more advanced soloists. The variety of styles means you can select pieces that complement other program choices without repeating character or instrumentation.

• Maintaining rhythmic independence while listening to two other pianists at one instrument
• Balancing three voices at different dynamic levels
• Reading and executing articulation markings consistently across a six-hand texture
• Navigating shared pedal decisions and timing
• Building confidence in ensemble contexts at the late elementary level