Imagine a festive theatre production in a bustling frontier town. Commissioned by the MTA in Fort Worth, TX this sophisticated, late intermediate piece is well crafted and very accessible. In the key of A major, full one-octave scales and fragments of a scale appear in each hand, while the left hand plays lots of broken seventh chords. Cheerful, perky and pianistic---fun to play and fun to hear!
Discover MakeMusic Cloud: thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Brown writes idiomatically for piano without sacrificing musical substance. The piece balances technical clarity with genuine character, giving late intermediate students something that rewards careful playing without becoming tedious or condescending.
What to expect
A spirited scene from a frontier town celebration, complete with bustling energy and good humor. The A major tonality gleams, and the mix of scalar figuration with seventh chord harmony creates a piece that feels both playful and musically intelligent.
Who it's for
Late intermediate pianists ready to explore more sophisticated harmonic language and contemporary theatrical writing without jumping to advanced technical demands. Teachers seeking pieces that sound polished and mature for recitals or studio showcases.
How to get the most out of it
Keep the broken seventh chords in the left hand buoyant and light; let the spacing breathe rather than playing them as thick, heavy foundations.
Shape the scale passages as if each hand is telling part of the story. One-octave scales can feel mechanical, but treating them as melodic fragments keeps the energy moving forward.
Maintain a steady, dance-like pulse throughout. The "perky" character lives in the rhythmic clarity and forward motion, not in racing the tempo.
How to use it
Pair this with other character pieces to create a themed recital segment, or use it as a strong solo to close a student showcase. Its accessible virtuosity and immediate appeal make it ideal for performances where you want the audience to hear genuine musicianship without technical display.
Skills your students will build
One-octave scale passages in both hands with secure hand independence
Broken seventh chord voicings and inversions
Balancing melodic interest across both hands
Maintaining rhythmic clarity and stylistic character in mid-tempo theatrical writing
You May Also Like
Scan to Complete Your Purchase
Use your phone's camera to scan the code below
You'll log in on your phone and the order will be added to your account
