Jerald Simon’s newest book, The Dawn of a New Age, is a refreshing set of New Age style intermediate to late intermediate collections. 12 pieces are included in this book, beginning with the easiest piece and progresses to the most difficult.
The 12 original piano solos composed by Jerald Simon are:
1. Morning Star
2. The Sands of Time
3. Reflection
4. Song of Serenity
5.Downcast
6. Utopia
7. The Dawn of a New Age
8. Heaven on Earth
9. Hereafter
10. Tranquility
11. Destiny
12. Resolution
As you play through the pieces in this book, you will notice the repeated left hand patterns. Jerald wanted to teach left hand “New Age” patterns to better help pianists create music of their own. As with all his books he gives tools students can use to practice these patterns and feel comfortable with them before learning the piece itself. Once they are comfortable with the new pattern with the practice steps he provides, they are set up for success in learning the piece. The other thing that I appreciate about this approach is it lends itself for plenty of “teaching moments” and ideas for students to branch out. It allows them to gain skills and ideas that will inspire them to make their own music.
Jerald was recently interviewed by the Standard Examiner. It is a great read, plus be sure to take time to view the short video clip. You will be able to hear an excerpt of one of the pieces in The Dawn of a New Age called Heaven on Earth.
I enjoyed playing the pieces in The Dawn of a New Age. The book is packed with inviting, pleasant and refreshing pieces that are waiting to be played and shared!
If you have heard Jerald Simon in any kind of workshop or event setting, you will know that he thinks of himself more as a music mentor to his students. He encourages them to explore, create and make music often. This is something that shows in his compositions and I have really come to appreciate.
I have never been lucky to see Jerald present a workshop in person, but I have had a chance to view some video’s, one of which was a workshop for teachers on how to motivate piano students to play the piano. If you haven’t seen this video, be sure to check it out here.
Jerald is offering 10 PDF copies and 2 spiral bound copies of The Dawn of a New Age as a giveaway. Everyone who receives the PDF and Spiral Bound books will all receive a free MP3 download of the album as well (the album is available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and all online music stores. Thanks Jerald! To enter this giveaway, leave a comment sharing what your plans are this summer and if you use new age style music in your studio. Deadline to enter is this Friday, May 23rd 10:00pm (az mountain standard). GIVEAWAY HAS EXPIRED
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38 Responses
My studio is active year-round and we use the summer to prepare for our annual Fall Recital. We’d love to explore The Dawn of a New Age!
This summer I will not be teaching as I am traveling to visit a granddaughter and then to another state to welcome a new granddaughter. I’ll use the time to plan for fall.
This summer, we are working on movie music in my studio! The kids are all so excited about it, and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun too 🙂 I have a couple of teenage students who love New Age music, and this book would be a perfect addition! I am in need of some new music in this genre.
Please enter me! Plans for this summer are summer camps, and then I’m taking two whole months off to travel and spend time with my family! 🙂
My summer is going to be filled with church camps, grandchildren, teaching piano, and furthering my knowledge of teaching piano. I really want to be introduced to Mr. Simon’s music to incorporate into my teaching. This book would truly be a blessing to me and my students, who love to play New Age music.
My summer will consist of teaching and two piano camps. Students this year decide if they want to continue in their regular books or do supplement material.
This sounds wonderful! I have been planning to incorporate New Age music into lessons and encouraging students to improvise on chord progressions in this style, so this will be a perfect resource for me to get started! I plan to have students play some fun, easy music for individual lessons, and also doing some group ensemble lessons and have the different groups play for each other at an end of summer piano party!
Adults will continue as usual but kids will do one summer camp – 4 hours – in June and then in July.
summer camps and regular lessons
Love Jerald’s books. I use Cool Kids series a lot. My favorite is Triumpant. No summer camp this year.
I also use the “Cool” series in my studio. Boys especially like the songs. I will do two summer camps this year.
I have some of Jerald pieces and enjoy them. Would love to try out his latest stuff! I’ll be doing a composition activity this summer with my students who are mostly beginners.
No summer camp — I basically teach adults.
I intend to teach a reduced schedule for the month of June (exam candidates, a few keeners & adults) & then just do a few “a la carte” lessons in July & August. I do teach contemporary style (jazz, blues, rock, pop) in my studio (can’t stand the term “New Age”!)
I teach for 8 weeks out of the summer including some outdoor group lesson games and enjoy vacation time with family. I could use more New-Age music in my studio and have some boy students who especially love the jazzier pieces.
When is the drawing for Jerald’s new book?
Date: Mon, 19 May 2014 20:12:56 +0000 To: rjmyers@live.com
Deadline to enter is this Friday, May 23rd 10:00pm (az mountain standard).