Jocelyn (Jo) Kotchie is one of Australia's foremost pedagogical composers, with a well-established reputation for crafting music which is loved by children and teens all over the world.
In writing for young people, her philosophy is simple: to create music which engages the imagination whilst also guiding the child or teen towards technical facility and challenge according to their capability.
Where music has the power to influence so many aspects of a developing child's life, Jo seeks to make that a joyous experience which is accessible to all children, not just those who are physically, intellectually or psychologically capable of managing the technical and interpretative requirements.
She does this by crafting music which stimulates - rhythmically, melodically, dynamically, but most of all imaginatively, by creating a picture that the child can bring to life.
Samples
Audio samples are available for most music.
Visit the Catalogue and follow the prompts
to listen to recordings.
Score samples are available on the publisher's website and are linked from the Catalogue
Click below to listen to selected sample recordings
Jo writes extensively in a wide variety of genres: while specialising in pedagogical music (piano, vocal and instrumental) Jo also writes songs across most genres, solo and ensemble instrumental music and both traditional and contemporary choral music.
The songs, featuring big power ballads, carry strong overtones of her classical background, forming a classical/pop crossover style. Other genres include jazz, blues, soul, folk, pop-rock, spiritual, gospel, musical theatre and classical. Types of songs also include satire, social commentary, story songs and duets.
Jo also writes songs and music suitable for schools and piano music designed to engage specific interest groups such as young beginners, boys and girls with a need for speed, teens and adults.
Arrangements
As a resource for teachers, students and choirs, Jo writes various types of arrangements.
Arrangements of her own material and of public domain music such as traditional hymns, negro spirituals, tradtional folk songs and classical music.
Arrangements of any of the above material can be written for any size and type of vocal group - duos, small ensembles, all male or all female groups and large choirs.
In addition, arrangements can be as simple or as complicated as required to meet the capabilities of the choral group - from unison singing and simple two-part harmony through to as many parts as desired.
Most choral arrangements are a cappella with piano accompaniments available on request.
A full list of all available vocal and choral music can be found on the Catalogue under 'Vocal and Choral Music'
Arrangements of her own material and of public domain music such as popular piano classics and traditional songs for early to intermediate piano students.
These arrangements can be very handy with students who are bogged down with technical work and need a little light relief in the form of something they really want to play and can learn without too much difficulty.
Original music includes 'Rote Riot' - a collection of fun songs for the young beginner to be learned by rote. These pieces are designed to supplement the primer with which the student is working and to provide light relief in the form of a song or piece of music that the student can play at home from the very first lesson. These pieces have been hugely successful and teachers are guaranteed to find pieces that their students will love to play and sing.
Original music also includes two collections of canons: 'Conquering Canons' - a lighthearted approach to the torments of canons!! is a collection of 12 fun pieces designed to bridge the gap between the early level canons such as those of Kunz and Pozzoli and the more advanced contrapuntal work students will progress to in the inventions of Bach. They are an invaluable supplement for pianists at an intermediate level in encouraging independence of the hands. Jocelyn has also written 'A Canonical Adventure' in response to a commission by the Australian Music Examinations Board in 2013 to write the canons for their Series 17 grade one books. These canons are shorter and easier but still great fun to play!
Original music also includes 'Dancing Dogs and Prancing Frogs' - a collection of dances for children. These songs, with lyrics tell imaginative stories while giving children the fun experience of playing lively dances such as tarantellas, jigs, polkas and reels.
Also for young children is 'Caterina Caterpillar and Other Creepy Crawlies', a collection of 10 fun pieces for early level piano. In addition to Caterina, children will also meet Sammy the Snail, Alexander Ant, Fergus Frog, Peter Python, Sarah the Spider, Mirabella Moth, Christopher Cricket, Fernando Flea and join in the March of the Termites!
Original music also includes 'Danger Zone' - 12 Atmospheric Pieces for early intermediate to late intermediate piano. These pieces are guaranteed to engage boys and girls through into their teens, driven by a need for speed, power and mystery!
Original music also includes 'The Camelot Trilogy' - 3 epic tone poems depicting the final days of Camelot. Powerful music for teens. Specialising in music for teens, Jo has also written 'In My Room' - a collection of 8 pieces designed to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of adolescence. These pieces are deeply evocative, creating a picture or a feeling for the teen to live fully into while providing a safe foundation from which to explore and express themselves more fully.
Original music also includes 'Who's At The Door? ... and other mysteries' - a collection of twenty-one fun songs in C and G positions for young beginners. For teachers who are able to work without a primer, this book takes the young child on a joyful musical journey, learning the rudiments while reinforcing notes and positions long enough for them to become secure and comfortable. C and G positions are explored over the complete range of the piano keyboard and the entire book can be revisited many times in transposition.
For absolute beginners, 'Colour Play Piano - with Angus, Heather and Friends' is a primer with a difference. Jocelyn has spent many years developing her highly successful 'Colour Play' method of note reading. Children learn to read the notes on the stave in a child centred and age appropriate way, through a set palette of colours relating to each of the notes of the musical alphabet. The child works it all out for themself, with the support and guidance of the teacher. This book gives step by step directions for the teacher along with beautifully illustrated working pages for the child.
A complete list of all available Piano music is available on the Catalogue under 'Piano Music'
Original music also includes general piano music for the early to intermediate student, written to order to meet the requirements of the student. This is useful when a student needs to learn a particular technique and can't be inspired by rudimentary exercises. It may also be useful in meeting a teenaged student's emotional needs (for example with deep, dark chords and rolling arpeggios) when suitable material at the student's level is difficult to source.
Arrangements of her own material for various instrumental ensembles
For a complete list of ensemble music see the Catalogue under 'Duets and Ensembles'
Resources for Schools
Arrangements of her own material and of public domain music such as traditional songs and popular classics for general ensemble. Written to order to meet the requirements of the ensemble.
Original music includes seasonal songs for young children through to more complex songs for teenagers complete with arrangements for rhythm and lead and bass guitar, violin, saxophone, clarinet, flute etc.
Original music also includes percussion - either as part of a general ensemble or for a percussion band.
Check out the sample of Rituals and the Catalogue page of 'Music for Classroom Teaching.'
Rote Riot $30
A collection of 20 fun pieces for the young beginner to learn by rote.
Colourfully illustrated.
Each song includes score page for teacher and lyrics/picture page for student.
Magical Mystical $25
A collection of 12 descriptive pieces for the developing pianist, designed to encourage tonal beauty and expression in playing.
Late elementary to early-intermediate levels
(Pre-preliminary to 3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA)
Jazzamatazz … and Other Acts of Attitude $30
10 jazzy pieces for solo piano
Elementary to Intermediate levels
(Pre-preliminary to 3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA)
Conquering Canons $25
… a light-hearted approach to the
torments of canons
12 fun canons for late elementary through to intermediate levels
(1st, 2nd & 3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA)
A Pinch of This … A Dash of That! $30
8 delightful delicacies for young pianists
Late Elementary to Early Intermediate levels
(Preliminary to 2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA)
Caterina Caterpillar … and Other Creepy Crawlies $25
10 pieces, with lyrics, for early level piano
Christmas Crackers $20
8 Christmas Songs for Easy Piano
A collection of favourite carols and other songs for earliest level piano
Includes diagrams to assist with hand positioning
Another Pinch … and a Stronger Dash! $25
8 Marvellous Morsels for Early Intermediate Piano
(1st – 3rd Grades AMEB/ANZCA)
A Canonical Adventure $20
12 Canons for Adventure Fingers
Late Elementary to Early Intermediate Piano
(1st & 2nd Grades AMEB/ANZCA)
Dancing Dogs and Prancing Frogs $28
A Collection of 8 dances children for elementary piano
Pre-preliminary and preliminary level
Myriad Moments $28
5 Picturesque Cameos for late elementary – early intermediate piano
(1st & 2nd Grades AMEB/ANZCA)
Danger Zone $30
12 Atmospheric Pieces for early-intermediate to late-intermediate piano
(2nd – 5th Grade AMEB/ANZCA)
A Pocketful of Jazz $25
A mixed bag of jazzy numbers for intermediate to advance piano
(3rd – 7th Grade AMEB/ANZCA)
The Camelot Trilogy $20
3 Epic Tone Poems for Advanced Piano
(6th – 7th Grade AMEB/ANZCA)
Jazz Schmazz $30
8 cool numbers for young pianists
late elementary – intermediate levels
(1st to 3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA)
Who’s at the Door? … and other mysteries $30
A collection of 21 fun songs in C and G positions for young beginners
In My Room $30
8 Lyrical Pieces for Intermediate to late Intermediate piano.
(3rd to 5th Grade AMEB/ANZCA)
A Right Royal Flush $28
A Suite of 5 Reinvented
Nursery Rhymes for
Advanced Piano.
(7th Grade to Diploma AMEB/ANZCA)
Colour Play Piano $30
A full colour primer with a difference!
Children learn to read music in a child centred and developmentally appropriate way, hand in hand with Angus the dog, Heather the hedgehog and all of their friends.
Beginner level piano
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