Performance Plus®: Dan Coates, Book 2: Songs of Praise & Joy: Piano Book

This collection brings together some of the most enduring sacred melodies in accessible, musically satisfying arrangements that don't oversimplify the originals. Late elementary and early intermediate students get real music to sink their teeth into, with the harmonic and textural sophistication that keeps them engaged while remaining within technical reach.

Playing through these pieces creates a sense of musical substance and spiritual sincerity. The arrangements honor each melody's original character while the piano writing feels contemporary and idiomatic, never dated or condescending.

Late elementary and early intermediate pianists ready to move beyond simplified folk tune collections but not yet into intermediate classical repertoire. This book works equally well for students in private lessons, group piano classes, or church music programs looking for substantial yet accessible sacred material.

• Balance the melody against the accompaniment by allowing the right hand to sing without forcing; these songs deserve the same interpretive care you'd give any legitimate composition
• Find the natural breath points in each phrase to shape phrasing musically rather than mechanically, especially in slower pieces like Abide with Me
• Explore the dynamic range within each arrangement; Coates builds subtle textural interest that rewards expressive playing
• Work through Ode to Joy early in preparation since its familiarity can actually be deceptive, requiring rhythmic precision and even accompaniment

Program selections alongside traditional hymn singing to help students understand these melodies in a new light, or use them as supplementary recital pieces for students preparing for faith-based performances. The collection's length and variety also make it ideal for independent study or group piano curricula that need quality repertoire distributed across the year.

• Voicing and balance between melody and accompaniment
• Phrasing and interpretation within a structured harmonic framework
• Right-hand independence and legato control across varying tempos
• Reading functional harmony and recognizing chord progressions by ear
• Sustaining emotional intent across different musical styles and tempos