So, I'm looking into various holiday music for all of my students to learn over the next few months. Since many of them are in the different levels of Piano Adventures, I was looking into them (though I'm curious as to what the difference is between the Christmas book and the Supplementary Christmas (eg. Playtime, Showtime, etc.) books on the basic level).

Are there any other ideas for books I could also use? What are some holiday collections you've had success with? I'm hoping to place orders soon. Thanks!

pianogirl87,

I have bought a lot of Christmas books and keep this list of favorites for students in a method series.

Pre-time Christmas, Play Time Piano Christmas, Showtime Christmas,
Chord time Christmas, and Fun Time Christmas.

The PA graded Christmas books from primer to 3A.

FJH In Recital with Popular Christmas books 2, 3 and 4

PA Christmas for All Time Adult book 2


There are different selections in the Play Time type books as compared to the PA graded books. But I think they're both good.

Here is a Faber catalogue of Christmas music that you might find helpful.

http://pianoadventures.com/holiday/

Two of my students' faves are:

Christmas Treasures (vol 1) from FJH Adult Piano Curriculum (Ukranian Bell Carol is just awesome)

Christmas For All Time (bk 2) from Faber. Wonderful arrangements; they sound much harder than they are.

**Both of these are adult method books but I use them with my much younger students and they love them.

Dennis Alexander has some terrific materials for late elementary to late intermediate levels. His arrangements are refreshing, creative, and pedagogically sound. I have several of my students playing his pieces at our upcoming recital on Dec 15, and the audience doesn't know it yet, but they're in for a treat!

Thanks, everyone! I like all of these suggestions so far.

I also like the Faber Pre-Time, PlayTime, Showtime, etc. Alfred also has a big variety- they have Christmas books for the Piano Prep Series, Basic Series, and Famous and Fun.

I LOVE all of Melody Bober's Christmas collections.

I enjoy trolling estate sales and have found some lovely old books that some of my more 'advanced' students can play.
I have written on large post-it notes on the front to list what skills and knowledge are needed since I cannot lock them into a level.
I find my biggest challenge is to not have the same songs done by all my students at recital. I keep a running list, and offer song suggestions for each student, keeping repeated selections off the table.
I did have a crazy idea this year-
I have a dozen or so versions of "Jingle Bells" and considered having five different ways played by five different students. But, that might drive the parents crazy...
So, now I have to decide which student gets that oh so coveted piece?

I don't think that's crazy at all! It wouldn't drive me insane either, so long as the pieces are 'different' enough to be interesting.

I've just written a new xmas piece:

Three Blue Kings

Score should be ready by early next week

I am working on the Sleigh Ride duet in this:
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Sleigh-Ride-for-Two/19210262

It is considerably easier than the one with the red and white cover.

Nice! Just listened to it. Yes, I could hear that James Bond was among the kings.

Do you know which Christmas songs are the classics to listen to in Lima, Perú?

Thanks, Ann!

In case anyone is interested, the score is ready now, and available here

Wow, what a fun piece!