Alfred's Christmas and holiday sheets are designed with the developing pianist in mind. These carefully arranged solos of student favorites reinforce concepts introduced in lessons.
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Kenon D. Renfrow holds a Ph.D. in Music Education with a focus on keyboard pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma. His career has centered on group piano instruction and the intersection of technology and music learning, including extensive work with MIDI and digital keyboard applications in educational settings.
Renfrow has served on the piano faculty at the University of Miami, where he directed the keyboard pedagogy program and established a preparatory piano curriculum for pre-college students. He currently coordinates group piano at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, and is known for his contributions to Alfred's Group Piano Course and accompanying digital resources.
Why we love this
Renfrow understands what intermediate pianists need: a beloved holiday tune arranged thoughtfully to reinforce technique without overwhelming the player. The arrangement respects the melody while offering enough harmonic interest and rhythmic variety to keep students engaged during rehearsal.
What to expect
Bright and festive, with the familiar contour of a cherished holiday tune presented through a lens of gentle musical maturity. The arrangement sits comfortably under the fingers while introducing fresh harmonic colors and rhythmic shapes that make the old melody feel new.
Who it's for
Intermediate piano students who are ready to tackle holiday repertoire with some harmonic and textural complexity. Teachers will find this useful for students transitioning from beginner method books who need reinforcement of lesson concepts in a seasonal, motivating context.
How to get the most out of it
Map out hand position changes before the first run-through; marking these transitions in pencil prevents stumbling during performance.
Balance melody and accompaniment by listening for independence in each hand; the supporting voices should never overshadow the tune.
Maintain consistent tempo through any rhythmic figures that feel awkward; use a metronome to lock in problem passages at a slower speed, then gradually increase.
Shape the phrase structure clearly; even in an arrangement of a simple melody, musical contour and dynamic shaping make the difference between accompaniment playing and real musicianship.
How to use it
Feature this as a crowd-pleasing solo in a winter recital or holiday open house; its accessibility ensures clear, confident performance while the arrangement complexity keeps it from feeling too simplistic for an intermediate player. It also works well as a motivational teaching piece mid-season when students need a confidence boost alongside their primary method work.
Skills your students will build
Hand independence and coordination between melody and accompaniment
Dynamic control and phrase shaping in a familiar musical context
Reinforce lesson concepts through applied repertoire
Reading and executing rhythmic patterns and harmonic progressions at the intermediate level
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