Grade 6

New Selections
for the Popular Selection List, 2009 Edition

Climb Ev’ry Mountain Popular Piano Solos, Third Grade, John

From The Sound of Music Thompson’s Modern Course for the
Music by Richard Rodgers; lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Piano, HAL, p. 35
Arranged by Glenda Austin

The Sound of Music was the final musical by the legendary team of Rodgers and
Hammerstein; this inspirational song is just one of several that have become
enduring standards.
PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES
s project the top notes of the RH chords while distinguishing between the lyrics
and the fills
s strive for a long, legato line and tonal warmth throughout
s in the B section, slightly emphasize the LH rhythmic counterpoint and build
throughout this section to the dramatic return of the A section

Dream a Little Dream of Me Simply Standards: 22 Most-Requested Songs,

Music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt; lyrics by Gus Kahn Easy Piano, ALF, p. 17
Arranged by Mike Springer

First recorded in 1931, this wistful ballad has since been covered by countless
artists, including Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Doris Day, Bing Crosby,
and, perhaps most notably, “Mama” Cass Elliot.
PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES
s this medium-slow swing tempo piece has a gentle lilting quality
s the triplet quarter notes should be performed with ease and elasticity
s emphasize the somewhat unusual modulation to E flat major in the B section
For examinations, omit the repeat.

If I Ain’t Got You Sheet music, HAL, 2003.

Music and lyrics by Alicia Keys

This hit song from the 2003 album The Diary of Alicia Keys exhibits the blend of
rhythm and blues, soul, and pop that is the hallmark of the composer’s style.
PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES
s strive for a light, even touch on the opening triplets to achieve a serene mood
s the melody requires sensitivity to the text for a natural, vocal inflection
s maintain the basic pulse while shifting from regular eighths to triplet eighths
For examinations, omit the first ending.

Popular Selection List Grade 6 17

Simply Standards: 22 Most-Requested Songs, Moonlight Serenade
Easy Piano, ALF, p. 38 Music by Glenn Miller; lyrics by Mitchell Parish
Arranged by Mike Springer

This enduring hit from the swing era topped the record charts in 1939 and
became Glenn Miller’s theme song.

PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES
s strive for comfortable placement and assured shifts in the LH stride pattern
s perform the lush, harmonic changes with ease and flexibility
s build through the B section to support the increased chromaticism and
unexpected modulations
For examinations, omit the repeat.

Simply Standards: 22 Most-Requested Songs, Someone to Watch Over Me

Easy Piano, ALF, p. 55 Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Arranged by Mike Springer

This timeless classic by the Gershwin brothers continues to hold an appeal for
new recording artists and listeners.
PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES
s a flexible approach to rhythm will help capture the natural vocal expression in
the verse
s swing the eighths in the chorus and lean into the syncopations
s play the lovely ascending line with fingering that will allow for legato phrasing
For examinations, omit the repeat.

Broadway and Movie Hits, Level 5, HAL, Till There Was You
p. 38 From The Music Man
Music and lyrics by Meredith Willson
Arranged by Fred Kern

This charming love song from Meredith Willson’s 1957 musical, The Music Man, has
the distinction of being the only Broadway song ever recorded by The Beatles.
PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES
s use a rubato approach to bring out the melodic contour and meaning of the
lyrics
s aim for a warm tone and listen for balance between the hands
s increase tonal intensity in the B section and be sensitive to the chromaticism
For examinations, omit the repeat.

Something New for the Girls, ALF, p. 2 You Raise Me Up

Music by Rolf Løvland; lyrics by Brendan Graham
Arranged by Dan Coates

Josh Groban’s 2003 recording of this inspirational song propelled him to overnight
fame.
PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES
s strive for a warm and lyrical tone throughout
s contour the legato melodic lines and project the top notes of the streams of
3rds
s maintain intensity in the chorus as it modulates from F major to G major
For examinations, omit the repeat.

18 Grade 6 The Royal Conservatory of Music

 Selections from Previous Editions
of the Popular Selection List
Descriptions of the following pieces can be found at www.rcmexaminations.org.

All of Me BigTime Piano: Jazz & Blues, Level 4

Music and lyrics by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons Intermediate, FJH, p. 30 [OP]
Arranged by Nancy and Randall Faber

For examinations, proceed to the coda after the second ending of the chorus.

Batman Theme Something for the Boys, Easy Piano, ALF,

Music by Danny Elfman p. 8
Arranged by Dan Coates

NOTE: In previous editions of the Popular Selection List, this title was listed under
Grade 5.

Beauty and the Beast Something for the Girls, Easy Piano, ALF,
From Beauty and the Beast p. 10
Music by Alan Menken; lyrics by Howard Ashman
Arranged by Dan Coates

Bless the Broken Road Today’s Hits, Late Elementary/Early

Music and lyrics by Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd, and Jeff Hanna Intermediate, HAL, p. 2
Arranged by Mona Rejino

NOTE: In previous editions of the Popular Selection List, this title was listed under
Grade 7.

Breaking Free Ten Top Hits For Easy Piano, 2006 Edition,
From High School Musical HAL, p. 14
Music and lyrics by Jamie Houston

For examinations, play the second ending on p. 19, concluding with an F major
chord after this measure; omit the rest of p. 19 and pp. 20–21.

Castle On a Cloud Popular Piano Solos, Level 5, HAL, p. 37

From Les Misérables
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
Arranged by Carol Klose

Evenstar The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, ALF,

From The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers p. 8
Music by Howard Shore; lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien

Gilderoy Lockhart Sheet music, Fawkes the Phoenix and

From Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Gilderoy Lockhart, Easy Piano, ALF
Music by John Williams
Arranged by Dan Coates

Popular Selection List Grade 6 19

Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course: Greatest God Help the Outcasts
Hits, Level 2, ALF, p. 43 From The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Music by Alan Menken; lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Arranged by George Peter Tingley

Something for the Girls, Easy Piano, ALF, How Do I Live

p. 36 Music and lyrics by Diane Warren
Arranged by Dan Coates

Top 50 Movie Songs of All Time, ALF, p. 70 James Bond Theme

Music by Monty Norman
Arranged by Dan Coates

BigTime Piano: Jazz & Blues, Level 4 Lullaby of Birdland

Intermediate, FJH, p. 22 (1995 ed.) [OP] Music by George Shearing; lyrics by George David Weiss
or p. 18 (1999 ed.) [OP] Arranged by Nancy and Randall Faber

BigTime Piano: Jazz & Blues, Level 4 Misty

Intermediate, FJH, p. 14 [OP] Music by Erroll Garner; lyrics by Johnny Burke
Arranged by Nancy and Randall Faber

Wicked, Easy Piano, HAL, p. 94 No Good Deed

From Wicked
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Sheet music, HAL Only Time

Music and lyrics by Enya, Nicky Ryan, and Roma Ryan

For examinations, omit the D.S. and proceed to the coda.

Sheet music, ALF The Prayer

Music and lyrics by David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager
Arranged by Dan Coates

More Popular Piano Solos, Level 5, HAL, Take Five

p. 45 Music by Paul Desmond
Arranged by Mona Rejino

A Thousand Miles
Music and lyrics by Vanessa Carlton
2002 Pop Music Hits, Easy Piano Edition, Arranged by Dan Coates
ALF, p. 58
OR
Today’s Hits, Late Elementary/Early Arranged by Mona Rejino
Intermediate, HAL, p. 25

Popular Piano Solos, Level 5, HAL, p. 22 You’ve Got a Friend In Me

From Toy Story
Music and lyrics by Randy Newman
Arranged by Mona Rejino

20 Grade 6 The Royal Conservatory of Music