Grand Solos for Christmas, Book 6: Piano Book

Bober's arrangements strike a rare balance between musical substance and student engagement. Each piece offers genuine piano writing that develops technique without feeling like a etude; students practice voice leading, hand independence, and dynamic control while playing carols they recognize and love. The progression through eight pieces means students stay invested throughout a recital or holiday program rather than fatiguing on repetition.

These arrangements feel like homecoming: familiar melodies dressed in fresh harmonic clothes and modern piano writing. There's genuine joy in the secular pieces and quiet reverence in the sacred ones, with Bober's touch making each arrangement feel personal rather than generic.

Late intermediate pianists preparing recital repertoire, holiday programs, or winter recitals. This book works equally well for students building a secular holiday program or exploring sacred arrangements that sit at their technical level.

• Shape each arrangement's melodic line with intention. Many of these pieces use the right hand to carry a recognizable tune; give it the breath and phrasing it deserves rather than treating it as mere accompaniment.
• Balance texture against tempo. The late intermediate level invites rubato and subtle pedal work; experiment with how much the arrangement can breathe without losing forward momentum.
• Let the harmonic language of sacred pieces feel reverent without becoming heavy. Bober's voicings in pieces like Silent Night reward a light touch and clear voice separation.

Ideal for holiday recitals where a mix of sacred and secular repertoire serves your audience. You might also program two or three pieces as a themed set within a winter recital, or use individual arrangements as special selections alongside other late intermediate repertoire. The variety within the book means different students can claim different pieces, making it useful for studio recitals with multiple performers.

• Balancing melodic line against accompaniment texture
• Voice leading awareness through Bober's harmonic progressions
• Pedal technique for resonance and clarity
• Phrasing and rubato in arranged material
• Independence between hands in contrapuntal passages
• Interpretive choices in working with recognizable melodies