{"id":173774,"date":"2024-08-25T22:41:03","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T02:41:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/?p=173774"},"modified":"2026-08-07T13:24:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T17:24:57","slug":"back-to-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/back-to-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to School"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who’s ready to go back to school?<\/h3>\n

It’s that time of year again! Be prepared to go back to school and know what you want to accomplish this year. Here are some suggestions for captivating intermediate and advance solos (plus one duet!) to download and learn now.<\/p>\n

All titles are playable on lever harp.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/b>Intermediate Pieces<\/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\"Nimrod\"\"\"\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\tThis product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page\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\tGretchen Monson\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Nimrod<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.00<\/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\"Prelude\"\"\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\tLaura Sherman\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Prelude in F Major<\/a><\/p><\/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\"In\"\"\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\tCindy Horstman\t\t<\/p>\n\t

In Flight (harp solo)<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/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\"Premi\u00e8re\"\"\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

Premi\u00e8re Gymnop\u00e9die<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>4.99<\/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\"Alameda\"\"\"\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\tNadia Birkenstock\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Alameda<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>9.99<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

*Nimrod<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Gretchen Monson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Whenever I think about going into a new year of harp study, a piece from a classic work is always on my list. \u201cNimrod\u201d is from Edward Elgar\u2019s orchestral work Enigma Variations<\/em>. Gretchen Monson has arranged it for both lever and pedal harpists. It features really lovely harmonies with extended chords, parallel thirds, sixth intervals, and more.<\/p>\n

*Prelude in F Major<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Laura Sherman<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that a little Bach is good for the soul\u2026and technique. This brief, one-page etude arranged by Laura Sherman is great to get everything up and running again after a relaxed summer. It works on developing hand independence, cross-under strengthening in the left hand, and more.<\/p>\n

*In Flight<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Cindy Horstman<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If you have a recital at the end of your semester, look no further than this piece by Cindy Horstman for your ending \u201ccrowd pleaser.\u201d As the harpist, you will get to set the entrancing mood by keeping these grooves and bouncy melodies going. Horstman also has a duet version<\/a> available for anyone looking for harp ensemble pieces this school year.<\/p>\n

*Premi\u00e8re Gymnop\u00e9die<\/a><\/h3>\n

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

Erik Satie\u2019s popular classic is one of those \u201cmust-learns\u201d as a harpist, and Sunita Staneslow\u2019s arrangement has made it accessible for lever harpists! It works as an excellent exercise in dynamic control and landing left hand jumps.<\/p>\n

*Alameda<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Nadia Birkenstock<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Like many of Nadia Birkenstock\u2019s original compositions, this rhythmic and high-energy piece is so much fun to play. It\u2019s the perfect piece to learn this school year if you\u2019re looking for something a little different to help reinvigorate your desire to practice.<\/p>\n

<\/b>Advanced Pieces<\/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\"La\"\"\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\tValerie Saint Martin\t\t<\/p>\n\t

La Diva de l’Empire<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>7.99<\/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\"Mariposas\"\"\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\tJos\u00e9 Enrique Guzm\u00e1n\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Mariposas Monarca<\/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\"Cadenzas\"\"\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\tSkaila Kanga\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Cadenzas for Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>16.50<\/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\"Variations\"\"\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

Variations on a Theme in Ancient Style<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>20.00<\/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\"R\u00eaverie\"\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\tMaria Luisa Rayan\t\t<\/p>\n\t

R\u00eaverie<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>14.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

La Diva d’Empire<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Valerie Saint Martin<\/i><\/p>\n

Yes, Satie made the list again because this French cakewalk is just so much fun! Arranged by Valerie Saint Martin, each time the main melody begins, she adds a new way to make it even more interesting. It can be hard to translate vocal music to solo harp, but this arrangement is truly an excellent example of how to make it work.<\/p>\n

*Mariposas Monarca<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Jos\u00e9 Enrique Guzm\u00e1n<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I think more people need to know about this stunning work by Jos\u00e9 Enrique Guzman, which received an honorable mention in the 2020 Harp Column Music New Music Contest. It bridges together melodic writing with a little bit of modernism. The grace notes and extended techniques help tell the story of trees veiled with thousands of monarch butterflies.<\/p>\n

Cadenzas for Mozart’s Concert for Flute and Harp<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Skaila Kanga<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If it\u2019s another year back at university for you and you haven\u2019t learned Mozart\u2019s Flute and Harp Concerto<\/em>, it may be time! It\u2019s another one of those \u201cmust-learns.\u201d Or, perhaps you have learned it, but would like a refresher. In either case, you may enjoy Skaila Kanga\u2019s original cadenzas written for each movement of the piece.<\/p>\n

Variations on a Theme in Ancient Style<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Rachel Green<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The powerful opening of this piece by Carlos Salzedo gets my every time. The Happystring edition is written in a larger font, has easier page turns, and is formatted to accommodate standard paper sizes. Two versions are included with your purchase; one with pedal markings and one without.<\/p>\n

R\u00eaverie<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Maria Luisa Rayan<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

You can\u2019t go wrong with learning some Debussy this school year. Another \u201cclassic,\u201d this piece will be useful for many years to come whether it\u2019s for concerts or other performance occasions. Maria Luisa Rayan\u2019s edition includes carefully selected fingerings, pedal markings, and dynamics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It’s that time of year again! Here are some suggestions for back-to-school solos to download and learn now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10992,"featured_media":173775,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[710],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-173774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seasonal-recommendations"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173774","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=173774"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":174057,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173774\/revisions\/174057"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/173775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=173774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=173774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}