Piano Exam Repertoire

About This Repertoire Collection

This page is a growing collection of exam-ready piano repertoire selected from the Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire syllabus - an ideal resource for piano teachers looking for fresh, engaging pieces that meet official exam requirements.

All repertoire listed here is composed by Jen Smith Lanthier, a Canadian composer and piano educator whose works appear across multiple grades of the syllabus. Each piece is drawn from her published collections, with direct links to the books where each selection can be found.

Whether you're preparing a student for their next exam or simply looking for contemporary Canadian piano music that holds up in a lesson room, this page will help you find the right piece at the right grade.

Looking for something more flexible? Browse our free printable piano lead sheets for downloadable resources you can use in any lesson.

Piano Exam-Ready Repertoire by Grade

Grade 1 - Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire

Accessible pieces for early beginners exploring five-finger positions, simple rhythms, and musical storytelling.

Ocean Tails

• Two Banana Slugs (listen here)

• Stroll Through Beacon Hill (listen here)

Wee Songs Vol. 1

• Changing Chimes

• Ancient Woods

• Creepy Cave

Voyageur Early Elementary

• A Beaver's Tale

• Puffin Cove

• Mist and Stone

• Snowshoe Dance

• Royal Red

Super Studies Vol. 1

• Lonely Wolverine (listen here)

• Sidekick Shuffle (listen here)

Grade 2 - Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire

Elementary repertoire that introduces hand coordination, wider ranges, and expressive character pieces.

Animal Bus

• Highland Pony Song (listen here); free teaching video available here

• Swans' Pas de Deux (listen here)

Wee Songs Vol. 1

• Groovy Elf

• Fairy Lullaby

• Toadstool Leaps

Wee Songs Vol. 2

• The Weathered Path

Voyageur Elementary

• On Mount Royal

• Mosquito Minuet

Super Studies Vol. 1

• Billowing Capes (listen here)

• Titan's Toccata (listen here)

• Super Stretchy (listen here)

Super Studies Vol. 2

• Heroes and Villains (listen here)

• Masked Opponents (listen here)

• Secret Headquarters (listen here)

Grade 3 - Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire

Late elementary selections that develop rhythmic independence, dynamic contrast, and stylistic variety.

Animal Bus

• Bullero (listen here); free teaching video available here

• Cinnamon Bear Boogie (listen here); free teaching video available here

• The Castaway (listen here); free teaching video available here

• The Fox's Fiddle (listen here); free teaching video available here

• The Raven's Wish (listen here)

Wee Songs Vol. 2

• Warm Memories

Voyageur Late Elementary

• Rolling Hills

• Deux-Rivières

Super Studies Vol. 2

• Marvel (listen here)

• The Mighty Study (listen here)

• On Patrol (listen here)

Grade 4 - Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire

Early intermediate pieces requiring greater technical control, musical phrasing, and expressive range.

Cottage Country

• Sauble Sunset (listen here)

• Break Wall Blues (listen here)

• Lunar Eclipse (listen here)

• Southampton Song (listen here)

• Moonlit Paddle (listen here)

• Tumblin' Toboggans (listen here)

Voyageur Late Elementary

• Mermaid

Grade 5 - Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire

Intermediate repertoire that challenges students with more complex textures, voicing, and interpretive depth.

Cottage Country

• After the Fair (listen here)

• A Winter's Walk (listen here)

• Songbird Lullaby (listen here)

Wee Songs Vol. 2

• Gathering Bluebells

• Welcoming a New Day

Want to go beyond the score? The Improv Star Mini Course uses Welcoming a New Day to teach real piano improvisation - just $7.

Voyageur Late Elementary

• Mahone Bay

Voyageur Intermediate

• Text Bach

Grade 6 - Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire

Upper intermediate pieces that demand musical maturity, refined technique, and a confident personal voice.

Cottage Country

• Swirling Leaves (listen here)

• Ring-billed Rag (listen here)

Wee Songs Vol. 3

• Cherished

Voyageur Intermediate

• Dragon Boat Song

• J'entends le Moulin

• Inuvik Sun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire syllabus?
The Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire syllabus is an official Canadian exam program that certifies students in piano performance across multiple grades. The Contemporary Repertoire stream focuses on modern, accessible pieces that reflect a wide range of styles - making it a popular choice for teachers who want engaging, relevant repertoire for their students.

Which of Jen's books are included in the Conservatory Canada syllabus?
Several Ocean Tails Music collections include syllabus-approved selections, including Ocean Tails, Animal Bus, Wee Songs Vol. 1, Wee Songs Vol. 2, Wee Songs Vol. 3, Cottage Country, Voyageur Early Elementary, Voyageur Elementary, Voyageur Late Elementary, Voyageur Intermediate, Super Studies Vol. 1, and Super Studies Vol. 2.

Can I use these pieces for exams outside of Canada?
These pieces are approved specifically for the Conservatory Canada Contemporary Repertoire syllabus. If you are preparing students for a different exam board, we recommend checking your local syllabus requirements - however, many of these pieces are also excellent recital and festival repertoire regardless of exam board.

Are there listening recordings available for these pieces?
Yes - many pieces include a "listen here" link directly beside the title, taking you to a YouTube recording so you and your students can hear the piece before purchasing.

Where can I purchase these books?
Each book title on this page links directly to its purchase page on the Ocean Tails Music website. Physical copies for many titles are also available through Red Leaf Pianoworks.

Are there teaching resources available alongside this repertoire?
Yes - several pieces include free teaching videos linked directly on this page. You can also explore the free piano lead sheets for additional downloadable resources, or the Improv Star mini course to help take the mystery out of improvisation.