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The Audition: Piano Sheet

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The Audition: Piano Sheet

The Audition: Piano Sheet

By Tom Gerou

Level: Intermediate

Item: 00-5443
$3.50
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Description
The left hand is asked to play long, running melodic eighth note phrases under right hand staccato block chords in an infectious Broadway dance style. A good right hand reach is desirable, and there are wide swings in dynamics and touch throughout the piece.

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Additional Details
Series: Signature Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 4
ISBN10: 0-7390-8062-8
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-8062-7
UPC: 038081019307
SKU: 00-5443

More about this title

About the Composer: Tom Gerou

Tom Gerou

Tom Gerou has established himself as a prolific composer and educator with more than 160 published works spanning multiple genres and contexts. His output includes foundational reference texts such as the Essential Dictionary of Music Notation and Essential Dictionary of Orchestration, alongside an extensive catalog of original compositions and arrangements that have become teaching staples. His piano arrangements appear throughout Alfred's Basic Piano Library collections, and recent commissions from the North Dakota Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association Collaborative Commissioning Project reflect his ongoing engagement with the profession.

Gerou earned his Bachelor of Music in composition from the University of Southern California and his Master of Music in composition from Yale University. His theatrical work has earned two Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for best original theatrical music, along with recognition including a Morton Gould Young Composer Award, two Rena Greenwald Awards, and a Jimmy McHugh Composition Prize. He has conducted workshops internationally across the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Why we love this

Gerou captures the kinetic energy of Broadway in a piece that demands solid intermediate technique without requiring advanced virtuosity. The writing is idiomatic for the piano: the running eighth note figurations in the left hand feel natural to play, while the staccato block chords in the right hand offer satisfying rhythmic control and clarity. Students finish this piece feeling like they've performed something genuinely theatrical and fun.

What to expect

This piece channels the high-energy abandon of a Broadway dance number, with the left hand propelling forward in a relentless stream of eighth notes while the right hand punctuates overhead with percussive block chords. The infectious groove carries throughout, shifting in intensity and color as dynamics rise and fall, keeping both player and listener engaged in the theatrical moment.

Who it's for

Intermediate pianists who thrive on rhythmic, character-driven pieces and enjoy the style and swagger of musical theater. This work suits students ready to balance two independent hand parts with different articulations and dynamic profiles, and it rewards those who can bring personality to their playing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the left hand eighth note line as the foundational pulse, treating it as a steady accompaniment layer rather than secondary material. This creates the propulsive dance groove that defines the piece.
  • Shape the staccato block chords with rhythmic precision and articulation; they should feel snappy and punchy against the flowing legato of the left hand, creating textural contrast.
  • Map out the dynamic shifts ahead of time and practice transitions between levels deliberately. The "wide swings in dynamics" require intentional hand weight adjustments to land cleanly without losing the infectious energy.
  • Work the reach requirements gradually, particularly any wide hand positions in the right hand. Ensure the student can execute chords confidently without tension before increasing tempo.

How to use it

Perfect for recitals where you want to showcase a student's rhythmic command and stylistic range alongside classical repertoire. The four-page length and intermediate level make it an excellent choice for a mid-program slot that energizes an audience and gives the performer a chance to have fun on stage.

Skills your students will build

  • Independent hand coordination (legato eighth note figuration paired with staccato block chords)
  • Rhythmic precision and articulation in syncopated Broadway style
  • Dynamic control and shaping across wide dynamic range
  • Hand stretch and comfort with larger chord voicings
  • Touch differentiation between sustained and percussive materials

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