[Piano Recital] Perfect Pieces for Middle Schoolers! A Curated Selection of Impressive, Audience-Pleasing Works
Even children who didn’t care much about choosing pieces for recitals in elementary school often start longing for dazzling works the moment they become junior high students, saying, “I want to try playing this!” Performances by older students and adults heard at past recitals may have left a strong impression, and some students might be eager, thinking, “Someday I’ll perform a piece that sounds this impressive.” So here, we’ll introduce pieces that are perfect for junior high schoolers to showcase at a piano recital—works that really make an impact.
As children enter junior high, they grow both mentally and physically, and their musical tastes may change from what they liked in elementary school.
Let’s choose pieces that are just right for them and boost their motivation to sit down at the piano even more!
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[Piano Recital] Perfect Pieces for Junior High School Students! A Curated Selection of Impressive, Audience-Pleasing Works (11–20)
ToccataAram Khachaturian
Composed in 1932 while Aram Khachaturian was still a student at the Moscow Conservatory, the Toccata is a vibrant piece that, while influenced by the Baroque, incorporates the rhythms of Armenian folk music and techniques of modern music.
At about five minutes in length, it’s not very long, but it is structured to showcase pianistic technique to the fullest, making it a perfect choice for a middle school student who wants a piece with strong audience appeal for a recital.
Powerful yet delicate, this dynamic work will inspire middle school pianists to take on a challenge and further ignite their enthusiasm for the piano.
Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshu
Takashi Hira-yoshi (Takashi Hiraoyoshi) is known as a master of piano pieces.
Born in Kobe in 1936, he studied composition at Tokyo University of the Arts.
He left many choral and piano works for children and is highly regarded in the field of music education.
This piece expresses the flickering movement of flames through music, creating a dramatic atmosphere.
Its distinctive rhythmic feel—alternating between 6/8 and 3/4 time—evokes the vision of a fantastical fire festival glowing in the night.
It is also known as a work that helps piano learners improve their technique and was selected as a required piece for the 2024 PTNA Piano Competition.
It’s a striking work, perfect for a junior high school recital.
Impromptu No. 1 in A-flat major, Op. 29Frederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin’s Impromptu No.
1 in A-flat major, Op.
29, is characterized by its beautiful melody and the left hand’s continuous triplet accompaniment that supports it.
It requires solid technique, yet its dazzling effect makes it a popular choice for recitals.
While it doesn’t include dramatic shifts of scene and can feel somewhat monotonous in places, overall it is a masterpiece that showcases Chopin’s originality and remarkable talent.
It’s an excellent piece for a middle school student to tackle as a recital work.
Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 2Franz Schubert
Impromptu Op.
90 No.
2 by Franz Schubert, a master of Romantic music, is one of a set of four impromptus composed in 1827.
Characterized by its continuous triplet scales, this piece is brilliant and highly effective in performance, making it ideal for recitals.
It demands both the technique to render the rapid figurations beautifully and the expressive ability to convey the contrasting moods of the major-key theme and the minor-key middle section.
Solid finger exercises are essential for playing the scales with elegance.
If you can present this piece confidently, you’ll surely feel the growth in your technique!
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56Bartók Béla
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.
56, a suite of short piano pieces and one of Béla Bartók’s signature works, was composed by the Hungarian-born composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist.
Drawing on folk songs from the Kingdom of Hungary—which once governed the region centered on present-day Hungary—the piece has a strong folkloric character.
Bartók later arranged it himself for small orchestra, and both versions are frequently featured in various concerts and recitals.
It’s an ideal choice for students who say, “For my recital, I want to play something with a different atmosphere from my usual practice pieces or the standard repertoire!”
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique,” First MovementLudwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the greatest composers in the history of classical music.
Beethoven is beloved by a wide range of players, from beginners to advanced musicians, and among his works, the first movement of the Piano Sonata No.
8 in C minor, Op.
13 “Pathétique,” is perhaps one of the most popular among intermediate players.
While the first movement is one of the more technically demanding movements of the Pathétique, its weighty sonority and driving character make it a piece that can easily make a strong impression.
Aim for a deep, rich performance while taking care that the numerous staccatos scattered throughout do not become too short or too light.
[Piano Recital] Perfect for Junior High Students! Carefully Selected Impressive Pieces (21–30)
Etude Op. 25, No. 1 “Aeolian Harp”Frederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin’s famous étude, Étude Op.
25 No.
1, “Aeolian Harp.” Also known as “The Shepherd” or “The Shepherd’s Flute,” this piece is characterized by the sonority of broken chords that resonate throughout, demanding not only technique but a high degree of expressiveness.
Among Chopin’s technically challenging études, it is relatively less difficult; however, daily foundational practice is essential to keep the wide arpeggios steady.
Let’s polish it up step by step while steadily building finger technique.