In Recital® with Popular Christmas Music, Book 6: Late Intermediate Piano Book

The arrangements here respect both the songs students know and their growing technical abilities. Rather than oversimplifying these classics, Marlais and her arrangers add texture and harmonic interest that rewards careful practice while keeping the melodies front and center. The included recordings and composer notes transform this from a collection into a learning experience.

Warm and celebratory without feeling juvenile. These arrangements capture the nostalgia and comfort of Christmas standards while the piano writing grows more sophisticated, offering genuine satisfaction when played well.

Late intermediate pianists ready for holiday material that sounds polished without requiring advanced technique. This book works particularly well for students preparing for winter recitals or holiday performances who benefit from familiar melodies and published recordings.

• Balance the melody against accompaniment figuration by thinking of the right hand as the soloist and the left hand as supportive; this prevents the underlying patterns from overshadowing the familiar tunes.
• Work the recorded accompaniments into your practice routine early rather than as a final step; this helps establish steady tempo and prevents the tendency to rush through sections you already know.
• Pay attention to the composer notes before diving into the score; they often highlight specific musical choices that give you permission to shape phrases more intentionally than you might otherwise.

Build a December recital around a few selections from this collection; students perform individually but listeners hear a cohesive holiday program. Alternatively, assign one piece per student during November so each can master an arrangement and perform at a single holiday showcase.

• Balancing melody against supporting accompaniment patterns
• Reading more complex rhythmic figures in both hands simultaneously
• Pedal control to support harmony while maintaining clarity
• Interpretation and phrasing of familiar melodies
• Maintaining consistent tempo with recorded accompaniments