My Moving World: Elementary Piano Book

Costley understands what elementary students need: music that sounds complete and satisfying while staying within technical reach. Each piece in this collection stands alone as a real composition, not a etude disguised as art, which keeps students invested in the music rather than just the mechanics.

Colorful and alive. Costley's writing celebrates the movement and energy of childhood while respecting the student's growing musical awareness. The pieces breathe with dynamics and character, inviting the pianist to shape every phrase.

Elementary pianists ready to move beyond method books and encounter real compositional variety. These pieces work well for students in their first or second year of study who need music that builds confidence without requiring frequent teacher support.

• Establish the hand position clearly before playing through. Since each piece uses one position consistently, anchor the student's awareness of that shape early in rehearsal.
• Explore the dynamic markings as character choices rather than volume rules. Ask what emotion or story each dynamic shift brings to the phrase.
• Let articulation shape the phrasing naturally. Mark which notes belong together in the score so the student sees how staccato and legato create the musical line.

Ideal for elementary recitals where students benefit from solo performance experience. These pieces also work beautifully as supplementary material alongside method books, allowing students to apply their technical skills to engaging musical literature.

• Control of dynamics across a phrase
• Hand position stability and awareness
• Articulation choices (staccato, legato, and combinations)
• Phrase shaping and musical intention
• Reading multiple positions at the elementary level