Premier Piano Express, Repertoire Book 4: Piano
By Dennis Alexander, Gayle Kowalchyk, E. L. Lancaster, Victoria McArthur, and Martha Mier
Level: 5 & 6
Item: 00-PB-0000979
$10.50
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Description
Alfred's Premier Piano Express, Repertoire Book 4 includes motivational music in a variety of styles. Designed to reinforce concepts introduced in Premier Piano Express, Book 4, the music can be used as supplementary repertoire for any method. All original music (including one duet) was composed or arranged by Dennis Alexander and Martha Mier. Selections of standard repertoire by D. Scarlatti, Rameau, Bartók, Schumann, Attwood, von Weber, Gurlitt, C. P. E. Bach, Schytte, Heller, and Benda also are included.
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Additional Details
Series:
Premier Piano Course
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
56
SKU:
00-PB-0000979
More about this title
About the Composer: Dennis Alexander
Dennis Alexander has shaped educational piano pedagogy for decades through his prolific output of more than 400 compositions and arrangements with Alfred Music Publishing. After teaching piano pedagogy for 24 years at the University of Montana, where he served as piano department chair, Alexander relocated to California and subsequently taught at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge before settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He remains active as a composer, clinician, and performing artist, maintaining a touring schedule and serving as a collaborative musician for soloists and chamber ensembles worldwide.
Beyond his classroom work, Alexander has established himself as a recitalist and chamber musician, making his Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1987 and conducting master classes at the Music Teachers National Association convention. His compositions have been commissioned by numerous state music teacher associations, and he has judged international piano competitions and conducted teaching tours across Asia. A native of Kansas and graduate of the University of Kansas, Alexander brings both rigorous pedagogical training and practical performing experience to every piece he writes.
Why we love this
Alexander and his collaborators understand exactly what intermediate pianists need: music that sounds sophisticated enough to feel rewarding while remaining within reach technically. This book bridges the gap between method material and the broader piano repertoire by pairing newly composed selections with carefully chosen classics, allowing students to encounter composers like Bartók and Scarlatti in accessible contexts.
What to expect
These pieces span a genuine range of moods and characters, from motivational originals that spark student enthusiasm to intimate classical selections that develop taste and interpretive awareness. The variety keeps practice sessions fresh while maintaining consistent technical demands that reinforce the concepts students are mastering simultaneously in their method book.
Who it's for
Pianists progressing through Premier Piano Express Book 4 (or any method at levels 5-6) who are ready for repertoire that extends beyond their core method book. Teachers seeking supplementary material that balances original compositions with foundational classical works will find immediate application across their studio.
How to get the most out of it
- Work through the original compositions first to identify which pieces align best with your student's current technical abilities and musical interests, then circle back to the standard repertoire selections as reinforcement.
- Use the duet included in this collection as an opportunity for peer collaboration; pairing students of similar levels can build ensemble awareness and provide real-time feedback.
- Approach the pieces by Scarlatti, Rameau, and C. P. E. Bach as windows into style and ornamentation practices rather than simply as additional repertoire to memorize.
How to use it
Distribute selections throughout the academic year alongside method book assignments rather than treating this as a separate unit. Individual pieces work beautifully as recital selections at studio showcases, while the duet offers a natural choice for student ensemble performances or teacher-student collaborations.
Skills your students will build
- Stylistic interpretation across Baroque, Classical, and twentieth-century idioms
- Finger independence and hand position maintenance in varied harmonic contexts
- Sight-reading confidence through exposure to diverse compositional approaches
- Understanding of ornamentation conventions in eighteenth-century music
- Balance and voice leading in two-part writing (duet)