The Magic of Music, Book 1 Cover Image

The Magic of Music, Book 1: Piano Book

$6.99 USD
$6.99 USD
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The Magic of Music, Book 1 Cover Image
The Magic of Music, Book 1: Piano Book

The Magic of Music, Book 1: Piano Book

12 Imaginative Solos for Late Elementary Pianists

By Dennis Alexander

Level: Late Elementary

Item: 00-18110
$6.99
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Description
The exciting pieces in these collections are designed to entertain, reinforce and enhance the important music and technical skills being studied during the early levels. Students will develop their own magical imaginations with the repertoire contained in this series.

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 24
ISBN10: 0-7390-0331-3
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-0331-2
UPC: 038081165585
SKU: 00-18110

More about this title

About the Composer: Dennis Alexander

Dennis Alexander

Dennis Alexander has published more than 400 compositions and recordings through Alfred Music since 1986, establishing himself as a leading voice in educational piano literature across all levels. His career spans five decades of teaching, performing, and composing. Alexander earned his degree from the University of Kansas and spent 24 years as a faculty member at the University of Montana, where he directed the piano department and taught applied piano, class piano, and piano pedagogy. After relocating to California, he held faculty positions at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge while maintaining an active solo and chamber music career.

Beyond the classroom, Alexander has performed at Carnegie Recital Hall, collaborated with internationally recognized artists, and toured extensively throughout Asia conducting workshops and recitals. He served as president of the Montana State Music Teachers Association and remains a sought-after clinician at state and national conventions. His compositions have been commissioned by numerous organizations, and in 2014 he was invited to judge a national piano competition in India. Alexander currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he continues composing and touring.

Why we love this

Alexander's gift for writing accessible, genuinely musical pieces without sacrificing integrity shines throughout this collection. Each piece balances reinforce core technical skills with genuine entertainment value, so students stay engaged while building solid fundamentals. The repertoire respects young musicians' developing imaginations while remaining playable within the realistic constraints of late elementary study.

What to expect

These pieces invite young pianists into a world where technical exercises transform into musical storytelling. The writing captures the wonder and playfulness that draws students to music in the first place, making practice feel like exploration rather than obligation.

Who it's for

This collection belongs in the hands of late elementary piano students ready to move beyond basic note-reading into pieces with genuine musical personality. It works equally well for students in group classes, private lessons, or preparing early recital repertoire.

How to get the most out of it

  • Encourage students to imagine the 'magic' each piece suggests through its title and character; this imaginative connection makes the technical work feel purposeful rather than mechanical.
  • Pay attention to any dynamic markings and tempo indications as written; they shape the storytelling and keep pieces from sounding routine.
  • Let students explore different tone colors and articulation choices during practice to find their own musical voice within each piece.

How to use it

Build a recital around Book 1 selections paired with pieces from adjacent levels to show progression and variety in a single performance. The collection also works beautifully for studio showcases or informal group performances where young students gain confidence playing for an audience.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and interpreting tempo and dynamic markings
  • Developing consistent rhythmic accuracy in early meters
  • Building hand independence and coordination across both staves
  • Exploring legato and staccato articulation
  • Creating musical phrasing over simple harmonic structures
  • Managing the technical demands of early-level pieces with musical intentionality

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