Dinosaur Collection

A book of 4 character pieces in piano solo format. No lyrics. Late Elementary. Pieces in this collection chosen for contest lists by National Federation of Music Clubs and NC Music Teachers Association. From the terrifying march of 'Tyrannosaurus Rex' to the haunting melody of 'Pteranodon'; from the playful 'Stegosaurus' to the lumbering 'Brontosaurus' with a DRAMATIC coda of a sweeping 4-octave glissando; this series is sure to delight students, increase technique, and fire their imaginations as they explore the entire piano. "Tyrannosaurus Rex" Intro is an appropriate fanfare to announce king of all dinosaurs (at the time it was composed) on a hungry, terrifying, prowling march. In Cm, 4/4 meter - while LH is performing staccato march accomp., RH has melody in Cm 5-finger position. A2 section transfers to Fm and placement of the hands transfer. What fun the B section is w/hands performing open fifths beginning in middle of piano and s-t-e-t-c-h-i-n-g out to the "outer limits" of the piano in opposite directions using damper pedal and LOTS of dynamic shading! "Pteranodon" was chosen by the NCMTA for 2020 in Jr. III A (Contemporary Composers), and then for the 2012-2013 contest list in the Jr. III A division!! Someone recently told me they knew there had to be a story behind this piece - there is: I just added a page, "Pteranodon: The Real Story" if you would like to read it. This haunting, lyrical piece is in a romantic rubato style - both hands in treble with RH playing melody in Em while LH arpeggiated chords’ bass notes descend chromatically, producing a very dramatic sound. Lots of artistry and expression learned here. ABA again w/B section soaring arpeggios depicting flight. "Brontosaurus" from this collection has been chosen by the National Federation of Music Clubs for inclusion in their bulletin 2016-2020 under "Piano Solos Elem. II". It has also been selected by the NCMTA (North Carolina Music Teachers Association) for their 2012-2013 contest list in the Junior III A section. It is lumbering along in 4/4 meter in key of C w/tonal explorations into Gb and Eb minors. Mostly in echoing open fifths w/melody divided between hands. In ABA coda form. At the coda, according to one of my students, Brontosaurus has to make a mad dash for the water because Tyrannosaurus Rex wants a bite of him. He dives into the water to escape expressed by a HUGE descending glissando. "Stegosaurus" was chosen by NCMTA in 1998 and 2004. Is taking a playful romp thru the pre-historic forest. Features lots of syncopation - in ABA form w/melody in RH on A section and LH on B section. B section very Latin sounding, like he is doing a little dance. Key of Cm going to sub-dominant (Fm) in B. In 4/4 meter.