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Massachusetts: A Musical Tribute: Piano Sheet

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Massachusetts: A Musical Tribute Cover Image
Massachusetts: A Musical Tribute: Piano Sheet

Massachusetts: A Musical Tribute: Piano Sheet

By Bernadine Johnson

Level: Late Intermediate

Item: 00-42442
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Description
Famous elements of Massachusetts are depicted musically in this suite. A Walk through Boston Common has a lyrical melody and flowing bass line illustrating a stroll through this historic city park. Nantucket, the city and the island, is described beautifully in Nantucket Nocturne, reminiscent of Chopin's nocturnes. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere uses abundant triplets to emulate the quick hoof beats of the horse on Paul Revere's famous ride. All Aboard opens with augmented triads that recreate the whistle of a departing train. A boogie bass and a swing rhythm contribute to the energy and vitality of the movement. "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" is a Federation Festivals 2016-2020 selection.

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Additional Details
Series: Recital Suite Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
ISBN10: 1-4706-1111-2
ISBN13: 978-1-4706-1111-8
UPC: 038081474694
SKU: 00-42442

More about this title

About the Composer: Bernadine Johnson

Bernadine Johnson

Bernadine Johnson earned her B.A. in Music Education from Indiana Wesleyan University and was honored with a Fine Arts Department Alumni Award in 1992. She maintains an active piano studio in Fremont, Michigan, serving students across all ages and proficiency levels, while holding membership in the Grand Rapids Piano Teacher's Forum, Michigan Music Teacher's Association, and Newaygo County Piano Teacher's Group. Her contributions to music education include adjudicating for the Michigan State Band & Orchestra Association and presenting clinician sessions at the Piano Pedagogy Conference at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Johnson has established herself as both a composer and collaborative author, having co-created innovative Alfred publications such as A Night at the Ballet and A Night at the Opera. Her original compositions include numerous solo pieces and the suite Scenes from The Nutcracker. She received the Newaygo County 1999 Cultural Programs Award and formerly served on the faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan.

Why we love this

Johnson writes with a keen ear for programmatic storytelling without sacrificing musical integrity. Each movement stands alone as a satisfying recital piece while contributing to a cohesive suite that celebrates Massachusetts history and geography, giving students a complete program option that feels both meaningful and musically substantial.

What to expect

A guided tour through Massachusetts that moves from intimate reflection to historical drama. The suite balances lyrical beauty with rhythmic vitality, drawing on familiar compositional languages (Chopin's nocturne style, swing idioms, romantic harmony) to make each movement immediately engaging while remaining fresh and pianistically rewarding.

Who it's for

Late intermediate pianists preparing for recitals who want a complete suite with narrative appeal and musical depth. This collection works equally well for students building confidence with longer-form programming or for those exploring American-themed repertoire.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the lyrical melody in A Walk through Boston Common with long, connected phrasing; the flowing bass line supports your line rather than competing with it, so resist the urge to rush the accompaniment.
  • In Nantucket Nocturne, let the Chopin influence guide your use of rubato and pedal; listen for the harmonic colors beneath the melody before fixing a tempo.
  • Execute the triplet patterns in The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere with rhythmic precision and consistent articulation to convincingly represent the galloping horse; these triplets demand clarity rather than speed.
  • Build the energy in All Aboard by maintaining the swing rhythm's momentum through the boogie bass; the augmented triads work best when you commit fully to their dissonant quality before resolving.

How to use it

Program the entire suite as your centerpiece recital piece, or select individual movements to complement other repertoire when you need shorter works at this level. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere's Federation Festivals selection history makes it an excellent choice for festival competition, whether performed within the suite or as a standalone entry.

Skills your students will build

  • Pedal control and harmonic awareness in the nocturne style
  • Triplet precision and rhythmic clarity in rapid passages
  • Lyrical phrasing with flowing accompaniment patterns
  • Swing rhythm and boogie bass coordination
  • Programmatic interpretation and narrative pacing across a multi-movement work

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