Grade 6Popular Selection List 17

Grade 6

New Selections

for the Popular Selection List, 2009 Edition

Climb Ev’ry MountainFrom The Sound of Music

Music by Richard Rodgers; lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

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

project the top notes of the RH chords while distinguishing between the lyrics

and the fills

strive for a long, legato line and tonal warmth throughout

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 MeMusic by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt; lyrics by Gus Kahn

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

this medium-slow swing tempo piece has a gentle lilting quality

the triplet quarter notes should be performed with ease and elasticity

emphasize the somewhat unusual modulation to E flat major in the B section

For examinations, omit the repeat.

If I Ain’t Got YouMusic 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

strive for a light, even touch on the opening triplets to achieve a serene mood

the melody requires sensitivity to the text for a natural, vocal inflection

maintain the basic pulse while shifting from regular eighths to triplet eighths

For examinations, omit the first ending.

Popular Piano Solos, Third Grade, John

Thompson’s Modern Course for the

Piano, HAL, p. 35

Simply Standards: 22 Most-Requested Songs,

Easy Piano, ALF, p. 17

Sheet music, HAL, 2003.

18 Grade 6 The Royal Conservatory of Music

Moonlight SerenadeMusic 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

strive for comfortable placement and assured shifts in the LH stride pattern

perform the lush, harmonic changes with ease and flexibility

build through the B section to support the increased chromaticism and

unexpected modulations

For examinations, omit the repeat.

Someone to Watch Over MeMusic 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

a flexible approach to rhythm will help capture the natural vocal expression in

the verse

swing the eighths in the chorus and lean into the syncopations

play the lovely ascending line with fingering that will allow for legato phrasing

For examinations, omit the repeat.

Till There Was YouFrom 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

use a rubato approach to bring out the melodic contour and meaning of the

lyrics

aim for a warm tone and listen for balance between the hands

increase tonal intensity in the B section and be sensitive to the chromaticism

For examinations, omit the repeat.

You Raise Me UpMusic 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

strive for a warm and lyrical tone throughout

contour the legato melodic lines and project the top notes of the streams of

3rds

maintain intensity in the chorus as it modulates from F major to G major

For examinations, omit the repeat.

Simply Standards: 22 Most-Requested Songs,

Easy Piano, ALF, p. 38

Simply Standards: 22 Most-Requested Songs,

Easy Piano, ALF, p. 55

Broadway and Movie Hits, Level 5, HAL,

p. 38

Something New for the Girls, ALF, p. 2

Grade 6Popular Selection List 19

Selections from Previous Editions

of the Popular Selection ListDescriptions of the following pieces can be found at www.rcmexaminations.org.

All of MeMusic and lyrics by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons

Arranged by Nancy and Randall Faber

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

Batman ThemeMusic by Danny Elfman

Arranged by Dan Coates

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

Grade 5.

Beauty and the Beast From Beauty and the Beast

Music by Alan Menken; lyrics by Howard Ashman

Arranged by Dan Coates

Bless the Broken RoadMusic and lyrics by Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd, and Jeff Hanna

Arranged by Mona Rejino

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

Grade 7.

Breaking FreeFrom High School Musical

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 CloudFrom Les Misérables

Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer

Arranged by Carol Klose

Evenstar From The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Music by Howard Shore; lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien

Gilderoy Lockhart From Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Music by John Williams

Arranged by Dan Coates

BigTime Piano: Jazz & Blues, Level 4

Intermediate, FJH, p. 30 [OP]

Something for the Boys, Easy Piano, ALF,

p. 8

Something for the Girls, Easy Piano, ALF,

p. 10

Today’s Hits, Late Elementary/Early

Intermediate, HAL, p. 2

Ten Top Hits For Easy Piano, 2006 Edition,

HAL, p. 14

Popular Piano Solos, Level 5, HAL, p. 37

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

p. 8

Sheet music, Fawkes the Phoenix and

Gilderoy Lockhart, Easy Piano, ALF

20 Grade 6 The Royal Conservatory of Music

God Help the Outcasts From The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Music by Alan Menken; lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Arranged by George Peter Tingley

How Do I Live Music and lyrics by Diane Warren

Arranged by Dan Coates

James Bond ThemeMusic by Monty Norman

Arranged by Dan Coates

Lullaby of Birdland Music by George Shearing; lyrics by George David Weiss

Arranged by Nancy and Randall Faber

MistyMusic by Erroll Garner; lyrics by Johnny Burke

Arranged by Nancy and Randall Faber

No Good Deed From Wicked

Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

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

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

The Prayer Music and lyrics by David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager

Arranged by Dan Coates

Take FiveMusic by Paul Desmond

Arranged by Mona Rejino

A Thousand MilesMusic and lyrics by Vanessa Carlton

Arranged by Dan Coates

Arranged by Mona Rejino

You’ve Got a Friend In MeFrom Toy Story

Music and lyrics by Randy Newman

Arranged by Mona Rejino

Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course: Greatest

Hits, Level 2, ALF, p. 43

Something for the Girls, Easy Piano, ALF,

p. 36

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

BigTime Piano: Jazz & Blues, Level 4

Intermediate, FJH, p. 22 (1995 ed.) [OP]

or p. 18 (1999 ed.) [OP]

BigTime Piano: Jazz & Blues, Level 4

Intermediate, FJH, p. 14 [OP]

Wicked, Easy Piano, HAL, p. 94

Sheet music, HAL

Sheet music, ALF

More Popular Piano Solos, Level 5, HAL,

p. 45

2002 Pop Music Hits, Easy Piano Edition, ALF, p. 58OR

Today’s Hits, Late Elementary/Early Intermediate, HAL, p. 25

Popular Piano Solos, Level 5, HAL, p. 22