“Orrin and Echo,” from Piano Potpourri, by Zenobia Powell Perry

“Orrin and Echo” is a short piece that is less than a minute. It is in the late elementary to early intermediate level. Some chords are introduced in the left hand. It uses an ABA form with repeats. For the first part of this piece, the right hand sings the melody, while the left hand accompanies with some chords. For the second part, both hands play the melody back and forth, in an echo effect, which explains the title. The identity of “Orrin,” however, is unknown. The melody sounds like an American folk tune, based on a pentatonic scale.

This piece requires phrasing skills to make the beautiful melody sing. The rhythm of the melody is fairly simple with mostly 16th notes. Therefore, phrasing with the harmony and playing with a little timing flexibility could make it sound more interesting. 

Piano Potpourri is a set of piano pieces composed between 1960 and 1990. There are 15 pieces in the set. The levels of the pieces vary from elementary to late advanced. The set has a thick structure and deep emotion overall. 

Zenobia Powell Perry (1908-2004) was an African American composer, professor and civil rights activist. She taught in some historically black colleges and universities. Her musical style is described as “music with clear, classic melodies.” She studied piano and violin in her childhood. Her most powerful musical experience was hearing Hazel Harrison (African-American pianist) in a concert. 

Sources:

• Zenobia Powell Perry
• Black Grooves: Reviews of new black music releases
• Image source: Zenobia Powell Perry - Drizzle Lyrics