Sometimes the dark days of winter can just feel blah!
But the right piano piece can turn blah into TA-DA!
Just like winter sports make the best of winter, these piano pieces embrace the best of the winter ‘feels!’ Why not make the best of the beauty, the frosty air and the cozy candle-lit hours when we get to stay inside play our pianos guilt-free!?
Experience the joy of winter music yourself and pass it on to your piano students!
Picks for all levels!
- For winter pieces PREP to Level 2 (Early to Late Elementary), click here!
- For winter pieces Levels 3 to 6 (Early to Late Intermediate), click here!
- For winter pieces Levels 7 to 9 (Early Advanced to Advanced), read below!
In this Post:
Level 7 (Early Advanced)
- Snow Angels — Rebekah Maxner
- First Snow — Martha Hill Duncan
- Toques and Parkas — Susan Griesdale
Level 8 (Early Advanced)
- The Ice Dancers — Teresa Richert
- Sundog — Martha Hill Duncan
- Glaciers — Susan Griesdale
Level 9 (Advanced)
- On the Pond — Martha Hill Duncan
- Snow Drifts — Teresa Richert
- At City Hall — Martha Hill Duncan
Level 7
Snow Angels — Rebekah Maxner — Level 7
“Snow Angels develops sensitive playing, voicing fingers and balance between the hands. It’s a gorgeous piano solo inspired by popular rhythms and chord progressions, but it’s the infusion of French Impressionism that makes it a truly unforgettable sound experience.” ~ Rebekah
Snow Angels is published in CNCM Level 7 (Canadian National Conservatory of Music).
It’s also available as an eSheet. Click here to get yours from my shop!
First Snow — Martha Hill Duncan — Level 7
“First snow could refer to the first showfall of winter or the first time someone experiences a real snowfall. As a native Texan, my “first snow” experience was at the age of 24! Cross rhythms of 5ths between the hands and a dancing RH melody lead the listener from a few light flakes into a whirling world of fluffy white.” ~ Martha
Get First Snow in the piano collection Precipitations by Martha Hill Duncan, here!
Toques and Parkas — Susan Griesdale — Level 7
“Cold arctic winds and snow calls for warm clothes but that doesn’t mean staying indoors! Brave the outdoors and go ski-doo’ing, snow-shoeing or dog sledding! So play this piece with lots of accents, energy and bounce for that ‘busy, busy having fun’ feeling!” ~ Susan
Toques and Parkas is in CNCM Level 7, and in the syllabi of RCM Level 7 & Contemporary Showcase.
Get Toques and Parkas in the piano collection Arctic Voices by Susan Griesdale, here!
Level 8
The Ice Dancers — Teresa Richert — Level 8
“An expressive piece featuring two melodies representing the ice dancers. The melodies are presented individually over a flowing accompaniment before they ultimately “dance” together.” ~ Teresa
~ The Ice Dancers is published in CNCM Northern Lights and listed in the RCM Level 8 syllabus (2015)
The Ice Dancers is available in Teresa Richert’s piano collection, Seasons.
Sundog — Martha Hill Duncan — Level 8
“Sundog is a sound track for the atmospheric phenomenon caused by ice crystals that create the dramatic and luminous bright spots of light on either side of the sun. Enjoy the last chord when the light shoots through the sky!” ~ Martha.
Get Sundog in Martha Hill Duncan’s piano collection Precipitations, here!
Glaciers — Susan Griesdale — Level 8
“Majestic, fully-voiced chords moving slowly forward, mysterious melodic motives and fast, harsh ‘rumblings from within’ help create a dramatic portrayal of the grandness of a Glacier. This piece offers a chance to play a ‘triple forte’ at the bottom of the keyboard to create as big a sound as possible. The other opposite of ‘triple piano’ with ‘una corda’ challenges the student to balance the composition dynamically and tonally. Make full use of ‘accel’ and ‘fermatas’ to help lend a sense of wildness to the composition. Aim for maximum drama.” ~ Susan
Glaciers is in Contemporary Showcase Level 8.
Get Glaciers in Susan Griesdale’s piano collection Arctic Voices, here!
Arctic Voices: “Pieces in the collection range from Level 3 to 9. Titles include: Arctic Voices, Polar Bear’s Lament, Drum Dance, Arctic Fox, Toques and Parkas, Arctic Wolf, Dancing Skies, Inuksuk, Glaciers – all give the student a chance to create their own arctic journey.” ~ Susan
Level 9
On the Pond — Martha Hill Duncan — Level 9
“Imagine a shivery winter morning surrounded by ice fog with the sun just beginning to peek through. The lone skater christens the pristine ice first with easy glides, then more energetic spins and jumps…an exquisite solitary moment amid nature’s winter magic.” ~ Martha
Get On the Pond in the piano collection Limestone Etchings by Martha Hill Duncan, here!
Snow Drifts — Teresa Richert — Level 9
“Expressive piece marked Rubato and featuring syncopated pedalling, rolled chords, and a wide range of dynamics.” ~ Teresa
~ Snow Drifts is listed in the Contemporary Showcase Syllabus (9)
Click here to purchase Snow Drifts, available in Seasons.
At City Hall — Martha Hill Duncan — Level 9
“This piece follows the bustling and energetically-charged outdoor ice rink from the first skater of the day to the last straggler of the night. A variety of skaters are featured — beginners and experienced, along with rambunctious teenagers and romantic couples.” ~ Martha
Get At City Hall from the piano collection Limestone Etchings by Martha Hill Duncan, here!
“It is my belief that music is an untouchable beauty, only partly of this world, that transcends our daily troubles. For people lucky enough to know how to play a musical instrument, music helps elevate us in difficult times and is an important strategy for sustaining us and our mental health. Play on!” ~ Rebekah
Brighten your winter this year with great piano pieces! Embrace the joy of winter!
- For winter pieces PREP to Level 2 (Early to Late Elementary), click here!
- For winter pieces Levels 3 to 6 (Early to Late Intermediate), , click here!
- For winter pieces Levels 7 to 9 (Early Advanced to Advanced), read this post!
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I appreciate shares, comments and likes. Happy teaching! ❤
Video of the Week
Listen to meet the composers of Red Leaf Pianoworks! In 30 seconds, listen to the variety of music available!
Rebekah Maxner 