Five-Star Solos, Book 3: Piano Book

Name: Five-Star Solos, Book 3: Piano Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-44562
Price: 8.99 USD
Availability: InStock

11 Colorful Piano Solos with Optional Duet Accompaniments

By Dennis Alexander

Level: Late Elementary

Item: 00-44562

$8.99

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The books in the Five-Star Solos series give students and teachers a wide variety of pieces at graded levels. Different styles, colors, tempos, and moods are included in each book. Ballads, waltzes, Latin tunes, contemporary sounds, and "showstoppers" all combine to make teaching both fun and exciting. Students will be rewarded with music that clearly sets them apart from the crowd. Titles: Autumn Waltz * A Bit Bewildered! * Boogie Gone Wild! * Fearless Adventurer * Jamaican Festival * The Lonely Fawn * Mystical Dance * Pied Piper's March * Smooth Mover * Tahiti Tango * Thoughts of Yesterday. A Federation Festivals 2020-2024 selection.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Five-Star Solos, Book 3: Piano Book comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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1 Mystical Dance --:--

2 Tahiti Tango --:--

3 The Lonely Fawn --:--

Mystical Dance

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Series: Five-Star

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 32

ISBN10: 1-4706-2639-X

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-2639-6

UPC: 038081505343

SKU: 00-44562

More about this title

About the Composer: Dennis Alexander

Dennis Alexander has been composing educational piano music since 1986, when he began his long partnership with Alfred Music Publishing. His catalog of over 400 compositions and recordings has established him internationally as one of the most widely performed creators of piano repertoire for students across all levels. He spent 24 years teaching piano pedagogy at the University of Montana before relocating to California, where he held faculty positions at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge. Alexander has maintained an active performing career as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician, making his Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1987 and continuing to tour internationally.

Beyond the studio and concert hall, Alexander has been a fixture at music education conferences, serving as a clinician at state and national conventions and judging competitions worldwide, including a national piano competition in India. His work has been commissioned by numerous organizations and state music teacher associations. A native of Kansas and alumnus of the University of Kansas, he currently resides in Albuquerque, where he maintains an active composing and touring schedule.

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Why we love this

Alexander structures each piece to deliver immediate musical satisfaction while building genuine pianistic skills. The variety within this single book means you'll find something for nearly every student's taste and technical readiness, eliminating the need to hunt across multiple collections for festival-worthy repertoire.

What to expect

This collection spans from reflective moments like the autumnal melancholy of 'The Lonely Fawn' to vibrant, energetic outings such as 'Fearless Adventurer' and 'Pied Piper's March.' Each piece carries its own atmospheric identity, whether waltzing through European elegance, dancing through Latin rhythms, or embracing contemporary colors.

Who it's for

Late elementary pianists preparing for recitals, competitions, or festival performances will find pieces that feel accomplished without requiring advanced technique. Teachers building well-rounded repertoire selections will appreciate the stylistic range and the balance of technically accessible writing with genuine musical substance.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the storylelling element in pieces like 'The Lonely Fawn' and 'Thoughts of Yesterday' by shaping phrases with subtle pedal changes rather than relying on sustain pedal throughout.
Approach the rhythmic vitality of 'Boogie Gone Wild!' and 'Jamaican Festival' by practicing hands separately to lock the syncopation before combining, then perform with relaxed wrists to let the groove breathe.
Use the contrasting tempos and moods across pieces as a programming tool; arrange your selections to create narrative arc rather than playing them in book order.
Emphasize the accompaniment patterns in 'Smooth Mover' and 'Tahiti Tango' as rhythmic anchors that support the melody, preventing the right hand from rushing ahead.

How to use it

Select two to three contrasting pieces from this book for a single recital to showcase your student's range and versatility without overwhelming their preparation time. These pieces work well interspersed with other composers' work or programmed as a mini-suite to demonstrate stylistic breadth at festival competitions.