One of my favorite things about teaching piano is playing through new repertoire to find just the right selections that will ignite each student’s interest and imagination. It’s especially fun to discover a new or lesser-known composer whose music is fresh and engaging! That’s why I jumped at the chance to review William Minter’s inaugural Journeys series as a published composer. Several hours of playing through the collection of six books was truly delightful! From the covers to the vast array of inspired styles within, William’s books are artistic and a great addition to any studio.
Each book contains an introduction and a brief synopsis of the pieces with notes from the composer about the inspiration behind them and/or performance notes. Book 5 was my favorite with tributes to various composers, reflecting their styles in a fun and clever way! My students have started learning a few of the pieces in the last couple of weeks, so I’m looking forward to hearing their impressions of them as well.
If you want to get a taste of William’s compositions for yourself, there is a whole section of free piano sheet music that you can download, print, and use for yourself or your students. Perhaps most helpfully, the composer has recorded himself playing every piano piece and made the audio files available on the website so that you can listen to all of his compositions! What a tremendous resource for us and our students in becoming acquainted with this new music and understanding how the composer himself intends the pieces to sound.
Now, the part you’ve all been waiting for. š William has generously offered to giveaway one of EACH piano book in his Journeys series. That’s right, there will be six winners! All you have to do is leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing to win. Six winners will be selected using a random number generator at noon (CST) on Friday, October 5, 2018. In the meantime, enjoy checking out those downloadable freebies on his website and listening to recordings of your favorites!
Anna Fagan says
I am also a ‘repertoire junkie’, and would love a copy of one of these books! Heading over to his website now to have a listen.
Diana says
I want to enter!
Tiffany says
How fun!! Just looked through a few freebies, should be fun to pass on for students to use during my maternity leave!
Georgeanne Yehling says
How awesome! Exciting giveaway and I’m looking forward to exploring his music.
Marie says
Always like new music!
Angela says
I’m always looking for new music for students. Please put my name in the hat. Thanks!
Brenda Slocum says
Thanks for the review. I will be checking out this site.
Lynnette Barney says
Always fun to explore new music!
Hannah says
Yes, I totally agree! Playing through new repertoire is one of my favorite parts of being a piano teacher. So much music in this world, not enough time to play it all!
Catherine says
These look great. Would love a copy
Sandy Fortier says
Thanks for the review. I would love to win a copy too.
Simone T Tran says
Hope I will be getting a copy, love to play more new music everyday.
Kathy Beemer says
Enter me!!! I would love with win a copy for my students!
Jennifer Smith says
I love reviewing new music. Always great to have new pieces to introduce to students as well.
Brenda Rohrich says
Wonderful. I am excited to try this music!!!
Marcia says
Iām interested!
Lavinia Livingston says
I look forward to exploring the Journey
Heidi Neal says
I love the style of “To Haydn” and having recording available makes it so much easier to have students select music they love without me having to take up so much lesson time playing them all for them. I would love to try these pieces out with my students