Repertoire
You can play one or more pieces from any of June's published works. These can be original pieces or an arrangements of Irish music. If you submit more than one piece, you will only receive detailed comments on only one of the pieces, but the recital as a whole will be commented upon.
Elementary: Alphabet, Toy Box, Safari, Paint Box, Take Ten, Music Box, Sea World, Enchanted World, Rayan's Duet Book; Sunlight Through the Trees and The Lark in the Clear Air from Piano Star Grade 1, ABRSM; Butterfly from Piano Star Duets, ABRSM
Intermediate: Sea World, Enchanted World, Puffin Island, Take Ten, The Nine Glens of Antrim, Six Little Preludes and Fugues, Razzamatazz, Stars, Irish Folk Songs Collection; Autumn Wind and Spring Shower from Saplings, Red Leaf Pianoworks Anthology Vol. 2
Late Intermediate: Six Little Preludes and Fugues, Stars, Magical World, Re-Inventions, Dreams and Dragons, The Girona Suite, Strangford Sketchbook, Ireland's Most Beautiful Ancient Airs, Fairy Tale from Mosaic Vol. 4 (pub. Editions Music Ferum)
Advanced: The Girona Suite, Causeway Coast Fantasy, Ireland's Most Beautiful Ancient Airs, Snow on Snow from Branches, Red Leaf Pianoworks Anthology Vol. 3, Sweet Sorrow from 22 Nocturnes for Chopin (pub. evcmusic.com)
You can find all the music here, apart from Red Leaf Pianoworks publications which are available at 80dayspublishing.com/collections/red-leaf-pianoworks. ABRSM, EVC and Editions Music Ferum publications are available from musicroom.com.
Tips for making a performance video
Using LANDSCAPE mode will work better on the video.
Make sure your teacher is happy with your video. They can upload it for you as well.
Clear the space around your piano as much as possible before you record, so that the focus is on you!
Beginnings
Here are some things you might like to do to introduce your piece. Practise speaking slowly and very clearly!
- You can introduce yourself
- Tell us the name of the piece
- Tell us a story about the piece
- Tell us why you like the piece
- If you are playing something from Enchanted World, you can even read to us from Winnie-the-Pooh, or The House at Pooh Corner by A A Milne.
Take time to think about what your music will sound like BEFORE you start to play. This will prepare you to start with the dynamics and tempo that you really want. Breathe slowly!
Middles
Know your piece REALLY WELL! Can you play it and have a conversation with someone at the same time?
Think about what story your piece is going to tell and how you are going to tell it, through dynamics, tempo, rhythm and feelings.
Practise your performance before you make your video, so that you will feel really comfortable doing it.
Play with conviction!
and Endings
Congratulations! Allow the music to settle in the air for a few seconds before you move.
Even though this is a video, let those who watch it share your enjoyment. Here are some things you might like to do at the very end:
- Smile for the camera
- Take a bow
- Or both!