Sunday Co-Motions: Late Intermediate Piano Book

Jolene Boyd transforms familiar sacred and patriotic melodies into arrangements that feel genuinely fresh without abandoning what makes these songs beloved. The four-hand format keeps both players engaged and interested, and the stylistic variety across the book (theme and variations, waltz, medley, ragtime) means you're not teaching the same arrangement voice repeatedly.

The book walks a rewarding line between reverence and playfulness. You move from the elegant, waltz-inspired Psalm 23 settings to the bright humor of ragtime, from the pedagogical clarity of a well-paced theme and variations to the nostalgic energy of a patriotic march medley. Throughout, the writing respects the hymn melodies themselves while inviting pianists to discover new musical possibilities within them.

Late intermediate pianists ready to play as an ensemble and looking for repertoire that honors classical traditions while keeping performance fun. Teachers seeking sacred or patriotic material that doesn't shy away from stylistic character and arranging craft.

• Balance the melody between primo and secondo carefully in the Psalm 23 arrangement; the Chopinesque phrasing works best when the accompaniment remains subordinate and flowing.
• In the ragtime rendition of 'When the Roll Is Called up Yonder,' lock the rhythmic feel between both players before adding tempo. Ragtime syncopation lives or dies by ensemble precision.
• Use the theme and variations structure of 'Jesus Loves Me' to explore different timbral colors: the primo can suggest orchestral textures while the secondo maintains harmonic support.
• In the patriotic medley, the Sousa quotations benefit from crisp articulation and slight rhythmic lift; resist the urge to rush through the familiar snippets.

Program this as a complete four-hand suite at a sacred music concert or all-piano recital, or select individual arrangements for community events and church services where solo piano duets are appropriate. The patriotic medley works especially well in spring programming, while the hymn-based pieces fit year-round worship or recital contexts.

• Ensemble balance and blend in four-hand writing
• Style-specific articulation and phrasing (waltz, ragtime, march)
• Theme and variations form
• Reading shifted parts and managing multiple rhythmic layers simultaneously
• Sustaining legato accompaniment while supporting a melodic line