In Recital® Throughout the Year, Volume Two, Book 2: Piano Book

This book treats recital preparation as a learnable skill rather than an afterthought, with structured guidance on performance anxiety, practice strategy, and reflection. The mix of classical arrangements (Tchaikovsky's Serenade) and American standards (Cohan's patriotic favorite) gives students genuinely interesting material that connects to broader musical culture. The duet option transforms solo preparation into ensemble work, which builds both musicianship and confidence before a performance.

Confident and celebratory. The classical waltz moves with grace while the patriotic arrangement sparkles with energy, offering contrasting moods that let young pianists show different sides of their musicianship. The material feels achievable without being boring, striking that crucial balance for growing performers.

Elementary pianists preparing for their first or second formal recital experience who need both repertoire and emotional scaffolding. Teachers seeking a structured approach to performance anxiety and practice habits will find the built-in guides essential for their curriculum.

• Mark the crescendos and decrescendos in pencil before your first full run-through; plan where your hand will move on the keyboard to control the dynamic shape.
• Work legato and staccato passages separately at slow tempo, then gradually increase speed only after the articulation feels natural under your fingers.
• Use the 'Imagine Your Performance' feature as a mental rehearsal tool the week before recital; sit at the piano and play through while visualizing the actual performance space and audience.
• When ritardando sections arrive, count the slowing mathematically (mark beats where the tempo shifts) rather than rushing the effect.

Assign this book as your spring recital preparation sequence, starting in January so students have time to absorb both the pieces and the performance practices outlined in the guide. The duet option works especially well for a pre-recital shared concert or as a confidence-building performance experience before soloists take the stage alone.

• Legato and staccato articulation control
• Dynamic shaping through crescendo and decrescendo
• Ritardando execution and tempo flexibility
• Rest interpretation and silence management
• Performance preparation and anxiety management
• Self-assessment and recital reflection
• Duet coordination and listening to ensemble texture