The Pop Star: Piano Sheet

Goldston had a gift for writing accessible yet musically intelligent pieces that hold students' interest without patronizing them. Her work appears regularly on NFMC Junior Festivals lists, which means you're offering your students repertoire that has real standing in the competitive festival circuit and that other teachers recognize as solid pedagogy.

The piece captures something playful and spirited, with character that goes beyond technical exercise. Elementary students respond to the personality in Goldston's writing; this feels like a real piece to learn, not a drill.

Young pianists starting to explore repertoire beyond method books will find this piece rewarding at the elementary level. It works equally well for students preparing recital material or competing in local festivals.

• Shape the melodic line with gentle rubato to bring out the character that gives the piece its title; avoid playing too mechanically at this early stage.
• Work hands separately first to establish independence, then gradually slow down the hand-together work so coordination feels natural rather than forced.
• Listen for balance between the melody and accompaniment; the supporting hand should stay quietly in the background.

Include this on a recital to showcase student musicality alongside technical growth, or use it as a bridge piece between method-book exercises and slightly more advanced territory. At four pages, it's also a strong festival entry for early elementary competitors.

• Hand independence in simple two-part textures
• Pedal awareness and control in an elementary context
• Phrasing and expressive shaping within a tonal idiom
• Comfortable navigation of elementary key signatures and rhythmic patterns