Do you teach students who are fans of Twilight, The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, The Fault In Our Stars, or anything deep, powerful and emotional?
Have you been searching for a motivating project for your teenage piano students?… Something they will be excited about? Something that makes them want to practice like crazy, yet still has educational merit? Are you tired of hunting for sheet music that will pique their interest?
The Guardians of Arranmore is a collection of Celtic pop piano solos for your “Level 4” piano students who love dramatic show-stopping tunes.
But let’s begin with the video…
The Guardians Of Arranmore
Following an ancient legend in which a small band of mysterious youth protects the island of Arranmore from a vicious Viking army, this book provides Celtic-flavored character themes in each of the “white key” minor keys.
Inspire your teens with the legend, engage them with the original artwork, and then challenge them to learn all of the pieces in this book. Their ability to play within key signatures they may not frequently encounter, and their willingness to play with expression will soar as they explore Saorla’s Theme, Carrick’s Theme, Taefa’s Theme… and more!
The Guardians of Arranmore is available on Amazon here along with the follow-up book that piano teachers begged for The Guardians of Ballinmore.
Check Out The Music
Click below to preview some of the music from Guardians of Arranmore, and then head over to Amazon. On a computer (not a device) you can click on the title image to preview the interior of the book.
Christie says
I wanted to let you know that I have several students who are very excited about these pieces. One in particular is a 17 year old young man who has been a particularly hard nut to crack. He came to me as a transfer this past year. He was bored with regular repertoire and loves composing his own pieces. But he’s very ho hum about everything I’ve tried. We’ve done lead sheets, worked on getting his songs written down, talked about different ways to accompany a simple song etc. This week I played through several of your Arranmore pieces and then asked him if there was one he liked, he actually smiled and said, “I like all of them!” And THEN his mom texted me later to tell me thank you for finding something he likes….and that he was actually practicing! Many times your Piano Book Club books end up being just what I needed for a student or two that month. Thank you! I hope there’s another volume of Arranmore in the works!
Stephani says
I love this book! I showed it to a colleague and her son (she subscribed after I did, so she gets her book later in the month) and she texted me a few days later. “J loves the new book that you showed us. He’s been playing non-stop since I got it. Funny thing is, I don’t think he would have liked it if I (Mom) showed it to him.” Happy to share how awesome it is. I have a few students who will be starting it soon too. Thanks again for stellar work!
Kimberly Wright says
I love these pieces! Great for all my teens! I have boys that are really into video games and listening to the video game music. Have you written more like this or that sound like video games? I have your Fearless Fortissimo and love it!
Andrea says
Hi Kimberly! More to come for sure 🙂 episode 3 of Fortissimo is in the works too!
Beth Yantz says
I also echo comments by the previous posts, my students really love this music, so far. I have a more advancing student who keeps wanting to do pieces ridiculously difficult for her, which she’s excited about for many weeks, but then she loses energy. Practice fizzles out, and no progress is made. She then also doesn’t practice what I assign, which is interesting music, just not what she wants to do. I gave her the entire book yesterday, including pictures, showed her the last song, and she loved it. I mention to her that these songs would be a little easy for her, and she shrugged her shoulders, smiled, and said that’s okay. Actually she had to put a bit of effort into her sight reading, so that was very good. I strongly suspect there will be more practicing this week on all her music and she may go exploring in this book, practicing her sightreading! Bonus! Thanks! I can’t recommend this book club enough!
Andrea says
Love to hear this Berh! Thanks so much for taking the time to share 🙂
Beth Yantz says
PS Thanks for the video clip, too. Just adds more street cred and I will use it as part of the introduction process from here on out.
Bonnie says
Love the books as they come out! Any suggestions for name pronunciation though?
Andrea says
Do you mean the Arranmore character names Bonnie? If so:
Devlin – Dev-lin
Saorla – Say-or-la
Rohan – Rowan
Carrick – Care-ick (rhymes with Derrick)
Taefa – Tay-fa
Faelan – Fay-lan
Keeva – Kee-va
Janice says
My middle school students love it. We are planning a Arranmore recital. In costume. (Did you know that the Celts at that time wore brightly colored fitted tunics and black wool capes – all their sheep were black. What a eyeful those costumes will make.) And I’m going to put together a vid to show on stage behind the students with scenes of Ireland, the coast, viking ships. and then have pics of the kids(in costume of course) super-emposed over the images. each student is going to play their piece while their own pic is on screen. they love the idea.
Andrea says
This sounds so incredibly cool!! Would love to see pictures of a video if you can swing it 🙂 kudos to you for your creativity!
lynn kiesewetter says
wow, Janice, you are incredibly energetic! I bet your students love you!
DH says
Thank you for the video clip – it makes the pieces even more enticing
Janalee says
We LOVE these songs. I have a 10 year old student who has devoured these pieces! We only wish they were longer!
Emily says
Can I still purchase this if I am not a subscriber?
Andrea says
Hi Emily – currently PianoBookClub books are only available to members of PianoBookClub.
Emily says
So if I subscribe can i still get this book? Sorry…just trying to figure out how it all works.
Andrea says
Hi Emily – if you subscribe and remain a member you’ll have the chance in the future to purchase it when it is re-released.
Emily says
Finally got signed up! How often do books get re released?
Susanne Gravel says
Would you happen to know the correct pronunciation for these names? If I present my students with “Sayorlas” theme and it turns out to be “Sharla” or something i will wish i had checked!