[Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Masterpieces and Popular Pieces Recommended for 3rd Grade Elementary School Students!

Holiday in ParisWilliam Gillock

Gillock: Holiday in Paris — Pianist Yuki Kondo

William Gillock is an American composer who created numerous masterpieces with song structures so simple that even children can perform them.

Among his works, one I especially recommend is Parisian Holiday.

It’s such a famous piece that it’s no exaggeration to say every beginner pianist plays it at least once.

In terms of difficulty, it’s roughly on par with the first half of Burgmüller’s pieces.

Its beautifully charming melody is wonderfully captivating, so be sure to listen to it as a reference for recital selections.

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Ryo

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Children’s Music Concert, Op. 210: No. 15 “Little Romance”Cornelius Gurlitt

Gurlitt: Little Romance

“A Little Romance” by Cornelius Gurlitt is notable for its charming, music-box-like melody.

It is included as No.

15 in the piano collection “Kinderfest Op.

210.” The piece appears in many beginner piano anthologies and is also popular as a recital piece.

Because it is built from gently flowing broken chords and a simple single-line melody, even children who have only recently started piano lessons should find it approachable.

To achieve a more beautiful performance in a recital hall, aim to balance the sound between the left and right hands carefully.

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yuri

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The ClownsWilliam Gillock

[Recommended for piano recitals] Clowns ♫ Gillock / Clowns, Gillock

Clowns by William Gillock, an American music educator who left many piano pieces for children, is a popular piece whose lively melody captures the hearts of many young players.

Though it appears simple at first glance, its rich accents and rhythmic shifts make it a fun challenge for children to perform.

When practicing, focus on hand position changes and subtle chord variations while keeping a precise sense of rhythm.

It’s also recommended to practice with a concrete image in mind—such as the playful movements of clowns and the delighted reactions of the audience—so the piece’s cheerful atmosphere comes through in your performance.

“Baumkuchen” from “The World of Sweets”Yuyama Akira

39th Prizewinner Commemorative Concert A1 Category [Gold Prize] Risa Hiraoka / Akira Yuyama: Baumkuchen

“Baumkuchen,” included in Akira Yuyama’s piano collection The World of Sweets, stands out for its particularly gentle atmosphere and is very popular, often performed at recitals and competitions.

By enjoying the swiftly shifting moods and expressions as they play, children can sharpen their imagination and expressive abilities, and more fully appreciate the joy of piano performance.

Despite its compact form, the piece offers moments to showcase technique, making it perfect for the stage.

Why not let your child’s expressive power shine with this exciting, heart‑warming piece?

Doll’s Dream and AwakeningTheodor Oesten

[Recommended for piano recitals] Dolls’ Dream and Awakening ♪ Oesten / Dolly’s Dreaming and Awakening, Oesten

Many people probably remember this as the “Your bath is ready!” melody from their water heater—a charmingly fairy-tale-like piece.

Included in the 1862 piano collection Kinderscenen, this work portrays a story that moves from “dream” to “awakening,” divided into four sections.

The progression from a gentle, tender dream world to a gradually more radiant awakening is full of variety and highly effective in performance—it’s sure to sound wonderful at a recital.

It’s perfect for elementary school children who are good at imagining stories, as well as middle schoolers who want to stretch themselves and try richer expression.

Try playing with expressive nuance while imagining your own doll’s story!

magicianWilliam Gillock

Gillock: The Juggler — Pianist Yuki Kondo / from Album for Children (Piano), Gillock

William Gillock’s “The Magician” is a charming piece that, while light and playful in character, demands both expressiveness and technique from the performer.

In particular, the harmony woven by the rhythmic left-hand accompaniment and the right-hand melody makes it perfect for helping children discover both the fun and the depth of piano playing.

By preparing this piece for a recital, they can naturally develop a sense of rhythm and musical expression.

It’s an ideal selection for children who want to stand out on stage and, above all, enjoy playing the piano.

Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Turkish March Mozart, 3rd grade elementary school

This melody by Mozart that everyone knows is actually the third movement of the landmark Piano Sonata No.

11 in A major, K.

331.

The piece embodies the “Turkish style” music that swept Europe in the late 18th century, brimming with exotic flair—one can almost picture a military band marching boldly by.

Its glittering, powerful character is sure to resonate with elementary and middle school students who look up to adulthood.

It even became a hot topic as a commercial jingle in 1985.

While the tune is familiar, mastering the precise, meticulously crafted lines so characteristic of Mozart is a rewarding challenge.

It’s perfect for children who want to be the star of the recital with a cool piece—the sense of accomplishment when you finish playing it is second to none!