What I Did Last Summer: Intermediate Piano Book

Olson captures specific summer moments with distinct musical characters that feel authentic rather than cutesy. Each piece stands alone musically, so students aren't just playing through a novelty collection; they're building a small recital program that actually resonates with audiences who lived through those same memories.

This collection captures the sensory specificity of summer through music: the bright energy of carnival rides, the warmth of a sunset, the particular unease of a scary moment, and the quiet magic of a summer night. The writing feels conversational and direct, inviting rather than showy.

Intermediate pianists ready to move beyond exercise-based repertoire into pieces that have real character. These works suit students building their first recital program or teachers seeking relatable material that connects to students' lives outside the practice room.

• Shape each piece's arc by identifying its emotional peak, then work backward to build momentum from the opening rather than playing evenly throughout.
• Lean into the contrasts between pieces (a lively carnival versus the quiet introspection of catching fireflies) to keep a full program engaging.
• Let the titles inform your interpretation without becoming literal; suggest the mood rather than describing the scene.

Perfect for a spring or early summer studio recital, especially as shorter solo numbers between larger works. You might also use individual pieces as performance assignments throughout the school year, rotating them into lessons when their themes become seasonally relevant again.

• Pedal control and clarity in sustaining harmonic colors
• Stylistic interpretation beyond notation (reading mood and character from titles and context)
• Phrasing in pieces without obvious lyrical melodic lines
• Dynamic contrast and shaping in shorter musical forms
• Confidence performing accessible but musically honest repertoire