{"id":156492,"date":"2023-08-05T15:54:32","date_gmt":"2023-08-05T19:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/?p=156492"},"modified":"2026-08-07T13:25:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T17:25:05","slug":"back-to-school-solos-for-all-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/back-to-school-solos-for-all-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Back-to-School Solos for All Levels"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back-to-school time is around the corner! Have you decided what repertoire you’ll learn this fall semester? Check out our suggestions for beginner, intermediate, and advanced solos.\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Titles marked with an * are playable on lever harp.<\/p>\n

<\/b>Beginner Solos<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Petite\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tKimberly Rowe\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Petite Berceuse<\/a><\/p>

Rated 4.50<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>7.95<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Golden\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tTamsin Dearnley\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Golden Slumbers<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>2.95<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Mozart\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tLucy Bunce\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Mozart Melodies<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>6.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Kathleen's\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tStephanie Bennett\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Kathleen’s Jig<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>6.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Soaring\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tKathryn Cater\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Soaring Strings<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>12.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

*Petite Berceuse<\/a><\/h3>\n

edited by Kimberly Rowe<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This piece by Alphonse Hasselmans is one of my go-to favorites for advanced-beginner students. Edited by Kimberly Rowe, it is easy to read and gives students the opportunity to work on dynamic changes like hairpins.<\/p>\n

*Golden Slumbers<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Tamsin Dearnley<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Also known as “Cradle Song,” this traditional lullaby arranged by Tamsin Dearnley is absolutely gorgeous on the harp. I believe the simple one-note harmonies will feel very fulfilling to play as a beginning student.<\/p>\n

*Mozart Melodies<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Lucy Bunce<\/i><\/p>\n

It’s never too early to start learning some “classic” classical melodies. This three-movement medley by Lucy Bunce includes snippets of three beloved works by Mozart: “Papageno\u2019s Song\u201d from\u00a0The Magic Flute<\/em>, movement II from\u00a0Flute and Harp Concerto,<\/em>\u00a0and movement III from\u00a0Horn Concerto<\/em>. Each section can be played as a separate piece or all sections can be played together as a suite. It would be a great option for student recitals.<\/p>\n

*Kathleen’s Jig<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Stephanie Bennett<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Stephanie Bennett’s original jig is a lot of fun to play! It is very joyous, making it something a student will want<\/em> to practice, and it would make an excellent recital piece.<\/p>\n

*Soaring Strings<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Kathryn Cater<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I have personally used this collection many times with my own students. It’s geared to younger ages with its illustrations and bird theme, but the compositions are really satisfying to play at any age. My students have enjoyed working on “Black Bird Boogie,” “Little Red Hen,” “Crows in the Corn,” and the stunning melodic solo\u00a0 “Seagull.”<\/p>\n

<\/b>Intermediate Solos<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Clair\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tSunita Staneslow\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Clair de lune (Excerpt)<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>3.99<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tHelga Harper\t\t<\/p>\n\t

The Blue Danube<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>7.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Beltane\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tMonika Stadler\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Beltane Dance \/ Maitanz<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>4.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Cercle\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tStephanie Claussen\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Cercle Circassien: La Tarentelle<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.99<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Passacaille\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tElizabeth Volp\u00e9 Bligh\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Passacaille<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>6.45<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

*Clair de Lune (Excerpt)<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Sunita Staneslow<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In my experience, students are always eager to learn this piece no matter their level. Sunita Staneslow’s excerpt of Debussy’s masterpiece includes all the highlights and makes this piece accessible to the intermediate lever harpist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*The Blue Danube<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Helga Harper<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Strauss’ The Blue Danube<\/em> is always a hit with students\u2014and audience members! Helga Harper’s arrangement is perfect for students to learn just for fun or for a recital.<\/p>\n

*Beltane Dance\/Maitanz<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Monika Stadler<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

An original tune set by Monika Stadler, these melodies are really exciting, powerful, and fun to play. They meld seamlessly together and you can’t wait for what’s coming next.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*Cercle Circassien: La Tarentelle<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Stephanie Claussen<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I adore this traditional Italian tune and this arrangement by Stephanie Claussen is the first I’ve seen! It has a very intoxicating feel to it as the melody keeps spinning and spinning. I think it would make an exciting student recital piece.<\/p>\n

Passacaille<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Elizabeth Volp\u00e9 Bligh<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I had to include this piece by Handel on the list because it was my absolute favorite recital solo to work on when I put together my high school senior recital. As with pretty much any work by Handel, it’s stately, upbeat, and never loses energy the whole way through.<\/p>\n

<\/b>Advanced Solos<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Impromptu\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tRachel Green\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Impromptu Caprice<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>13.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Skye\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tCarolyn Mills\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Skye Boat Song<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Nocturne\"\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tElzbieta Szmyt\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Nocturne<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>12.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Air\"\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tAlyssa Reit\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Air<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>10.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Niagara\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tAlfredo Rolando Ortiz\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Niagara Moon<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Impromptu Caprice<\/a><\/h3>\n

edited by Rachel Green<\/i><\/p>\n

Always a classic, this beloved harp solo by Gabriel Piern\u00e9 is a staple in the harp repertoire canon. If you haven’t already learned it, I highly recommend you add it to your list to learn this year. Rachel Green’s edits includes two versions\u2014one with circled enharmonic notes and one where the enharmonic notes have been written out as they are played.<\/span><\/p>\n

Skye Boat Song<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Carolyn Mills<\/i><\/p>\n

Everyone knows this lovely Scottish tune, but I doubt you’ve heard it like this. Carolyn Mills’ arrangement is simply exquisite!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nocturne<\/a><\/h3>\n

edited by Elzbieta Szmyt<\/i><\/p>\n

Another classic in the harp canon, you can’t go wrong with learning Glinka’s\u00a0Nocturne<\/em> this year. Elzbieta Szmyt’s edition offers pedal markings, fingering, and placing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Air<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Alyssa Reit<\/i><\/p>\n

New to Harp Column Music, I fell in love with this original work by Alyssa Reit the first time I heard it. It is truly beautiful. I love its rhythmic phrases and the space it offers for expression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*Niagara Moon<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Alfredo Rolando Ortiz<\/i><\/p>\n

If you’re looking for a show-stopping solo to learn this semester, this is the one for you. In classic Alfredo Rolando Ortiz fashion, this original piece features sparkling flourishes, exciting Latin American rhythms, and flashy glissandos, of course.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Back-to-school time is around the corner! Have you decided what repertoire you’ll learn this fall semester?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10992,"featured_media":156571,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8324],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-156492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-repertoire-suggestions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156492","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10992"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156492"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156492\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":156989,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156492\/revisions\/156989"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/156571"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=156492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=156492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}