“Tybee Island” is the sheet music for Pam Asberry’s 2026 solo piano single by the same title. Pam did the transcription for this beautiful piece, which is a joy to play. Inspired by the book by Leara Rhodes with the same title, the piece is loosely programatic and is in four sections that correlate with themes and events in the book. In very general terms, the book is about a woman who was trying to create a career for herself as a concert pianist in the early 1900s - a very daunting goal at best at that time - or any time, really! Quoting Pam:

“The opening section reflects Gertrude's optimism as she begins her new life in Savannah and Tybee Island. The second section is more somber, reflecting her concerns and fears for the future, as well as her interactions with the natural world that surrounds her; listen for wing whistles, dove calls, the whisper of the wind, and the patter of a gentle rain. The third section is the fierce gale that hits the island. In the closing section, all is well - and a second voice joins the first.”

Over the course of the nine pages of the piece, it changes keys several times, beginning in C major (no sharps or flats) to E minor (one sharp) to G minor (two flats) and back to C. The piece is not difficult, but it’s not easy either. I’d put it at a later-intermediate playing level. The changes in mood offer lots of room for expression and also make this a great choice for advancing piano students (Pam is a long time piano teacher in Georgia). Both the recording and the sheet music are very beautiful and I highly recommend them!

The sheet music can be downloaded from Pam’s website.