Ensembles In The Studio: Jennifer Jackson

In the latest episode of the *Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast*, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jennifer Jackson, a seasoned piano teacher from Utah, about the magic of teaching piano ensembles. Jennifer shared her inspiring journey, from her early duet experiences as a young pianist to organizing full-fledged ensemble recitals for her students.

Why Ensembles?

Jennifer believes ensembles offer unique benefits to students that solo performances cannot always provide. Through playing together, students develop:

• Rhythmic precision: Every beat, rest, and tie must be exact to stay in sync with their partners.

• Listening skills: Students learn to bring out melodies and balance accompaniments—a skill that translates directly to solo work.

• Resilience: Mistakes are inevitable, but students quickly learn to keep going, an invaluable skill for both ensembles and solo performances.

Challenges and Strategies

Introducing ensembles isn't without its challenges. Jennifer highlighted two key hurdles:

• Pairing Students: Finding the right combinations based on skill levels and personalities can take careful planning.

• Choosing Repertoire: Selecting music that’s engaging yet achievable for all participants is an ongoing task.

Jennifer recommends starting with simple duets and progressing to more complex pieces like trios or concertos.

Scroll down for a detailed list of recommended tried and true repertoire for the studio.

Tips for Teachers

For those new to ensembles, Jennifer offers these tips:

• Start small with duets and build up to trios or quartets.

• Play alongside your students early in their preparation to help them feel comfortable with ensemble timing and listening.

• Use tools like apps or personal recordings to help students practice with their parts outside of lessons.

Jennifer’s insights emphasize that ensembles are about more than just music—they’re about building connections, creating memories, and fostering lifelong skills. Whether you’re a teacher looking to try ensembles for the first time or an experienced educator seeking fresh ideas, Jennifer’s approach offers plenty of inspiration.

To dive deeper into Jennifer’s methods and learn about her favorite ensemble repertoire, listen to the full podcast HERE

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Jennifer’s Repertoire Recommendations

(affiliate links are included)

Favorite Duets

1. Grand Duets for Piano by Melody Bober, books 1-6

2. Celebrated Piano Duets by Robert Vandall, books 1-5

3. Jazz, Rags & Blues for Two, by Martha Mier, books 1-5

4. Star Wars for Piano Duet, arranged by Phillip Keveren

5. Queen for Piano Duet, arranged by Phillip Keveren

6. He’s a Pirate

7. Lady Gaga Fugue, arranged by Giovanni Dettori

Favorite Trios:

1. Grand Trios for Piano, by Melody Bober, books 1-4 (Snap, Clap Boogie)

2. Contest Winners for Three, books 1-5

3. Triple Dip by Robert Vandall

4. Hot Pursuit by Robert Vandall

5. Rustic Dance by Robert Vandall

6. Agent 003 by Martha Mier

Favorite Quartets:

1. Scenes of Salt Creek, by Christopher Goldston

2. Bumble Boogie, by Jack Fina

3. Over the Rainbow, arranged by Melody Bober

4. Rush Hour, by Kevin Olson

5. Don’t Stop Believin’, arranged by Melody Bober

Favorite Concertos:

1. Concerto in Cool, by Kevin Olson

2. Concerto Bravo, by Kevin Olson

3. Celebration! A Youth Concerto, by Lynn Freeman Olson

4. Concertino in C Major, by Robert Vandall

5. Concerto in G Major, by Robert Vandall

6. Concertante in D Major, by Dennis Alexander

7. Concerto Romantique, by Catherine Rollin

8. Little Blues Concerto, by Eugenie Rocherolle