In Recital® with Popular Christmas Music, Book 5 Cover Image

In Recital® with Popular Christmas Music, Book 5: Intermediate Piano Book

$9.50 USD
$9.50 USD
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In Recital® with Popular Christmas Music, Book 5 Cover Image
In Recital® with Popular Christmas Music, Book 5: Intermediate Piano Book

In Recital® with Popular Christmas Music, Book 5: Intermediate Piano Book

By Helen Marlais / arr. Edwin McLean, Kevin Olson / ed. Helen Marlais

Level: Intermediate

Item: 98-FJH1765
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Description
The intermediate level student is provided with a wide array of popular Christmas selections of their choice. Such titles as: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, A Marshmallow World, Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song), a new popular original by Edwin McLean, Light One Candle, and more, will become favorite Christmas repertoire. Includes recordings with special listening activities as well as background information about the pieces and composers.

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Additional Details
Series: The FJH Pianist's Curriculum
Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-56939-730-9
ISBN13: 978-1-56939-730-5
UPC: 674398224210
SKU: 98-FJH1765

More about this title

About the Composer: Helen Marlais

Helen Marlais is a pivotal figure in contemporary piano pedagogy, recognized for her work developing the FJH Pianist's Curriculum, one of the most comprehensive and widely adopted piano method systems in North America. Her approach to curriculum design emphasizes musical literacy, creative expression, and student choice, making her methods particularly effective for intermediate students who benefit from agency in their repertoire selection.

Why we love this

Students actually want to practice these arrangements. The collection lets intermediate pianists tackle recognizable holiday material without oversimplifying the harmonic language or rhythmic texture, so they're building real musicianship while preparing pieces they're genuinely excited to play.

What to expect

Warm and approachable. These arrangements honor the melodies students know from listening while introducing tasteful harmonic movement and textural variety that feels grown-up without demanding virtuosity. The result is accessible nostalgia with musical depth.

Who it's for

Intermediate pianists preparing for holiday performances, studio recitals, or seasonal church services who need engaging material that sits comfortably within their technical range. Teachers looking to scaffold into standard Christmas arrangements while maintaining musical substance.

How to get the most out of it

  • Study the recorded accompaniments first to internalize the harmonic foundation and overall tempo; then practice your melody line independent of the recording to build security.
  • Balance ornamentation against the surrounding arrangement. These pieces often sit within richer harmonic contexts than simple lead sheets, so resist the urge to over-pedal.
  • Use the background information provided to inform your interpretive choices. Understanding the historical or emotional context of a piece like 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' shapes phrasing and dynamic shaping meaningfully.

How to use it

Slot selections into a December recital program alongside contemporary or classical repertoire to create thematic balance. The variety within the collection means you can build an entire holiday concert from this single book, or sprinkle individual pieces into performances throughout the season.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and executing articulation and pedal markings in context
  • Balancing melody and accompaniment texture in arrangements
  • Interpreting standard notation shortcuts common to popular music arrangements
  • Sustaining musical line through harmonic chord changes

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