Keith Sharp completed his Bachelor of Music degree in 1984 before accepting the position of string educator in the Gap region of Brisbane, Australia, where he continues to teach. In 1995, Keith completed a post graduate diploma in education. Throughout his teaching career, Keith has produced award-winning string programs and ensembles while pursuing his passion for composition. His exquisitely crafted and imaginative works are highly popular throughout Australia and more recently have been discovered by teachers in the United States, Great Britain, and Germany. Keith maintains an active schedule as a clinician, guest conductor, and guest lecturer.
This piece, titled "Arianna," is openly romantic and expressive in its theme. It features an energetic introduction with a commanding cello/bass subject and a lyrical theme presented by the first violins. The composition invites the string ensemble to explore phrasing and balance in a bel canto setting. It also includes a foreboding middle section with a haunting B minor melody. The composition concludes with diminishing lines that may feature solos or front desks, bringing the listener and player satisfaction.
Fiddler's Farewell is a beautiful Gaelic-style music piece for middle and high school string players. It allows expressive playing with emphasis on phrasing and dynamics. Keith Sharp's arrangement involves all players with melody, harmony, and accompaniment roles. The music has technical challenges and lyrical possibilities to keep all ensemble members engaged. An optional piano part is available, but it is not essential. Graded at level 2.5, it's 3 minutes and 15 seconds long in E Aeolian Mode and related keys.
Chromatic glissandi, walking bass, and piano accompany a slow blues melody played by violins. The tune encourages vibrato and sounds excellent in the third or first position. The third violin/viola part is simple, while cellists can enjoy their chromatic pizzicato. The piano line is crucial. It's an original "concert novelty" that generates interest.
Keith Sharp is a renowned composer and string educator based in Brisbane, Australia. He has produced award-winning string programs and ensembles while pursuing his passion for composition. Unfortunately, his work "Bilge Rat Blues for String Orchestra" is currently out of print and unavailable.
Click Go the Shears is a delightful adaptation of a traditional Australian folk song for beginner players. It features an optional and exquisitely crafted piano accompaniment. Simple violin lines can be played singly with the piano.
Keith Sharp is a string educator in Brisbane, Australia. He received his degree in 1984 and a post-graduate diploma in 1995. Keith produces award-winning string programs and compositions popular in Australia and internationally. He is also active as a guest conductor, clinician, and lecturer.
“La Llorona” is a 6-minute programmatic piece for a high school string orchestra with optional percussion. It tells a story based on a Spanish/Mexican legend of La Malinche, a noble Aztec girl sold into slavery to Mayan merchants. The music starts with an Entrada, signalling the arrival of the Spanish fleet led by Cortés, who colonized Mexico.
La Malinche was a translator and mistress to the conqueror Cortés. She had twin boys with him, but when he was convinced to return to Spain with a Spanish aristocrat, La Malinche realized the hopelessness of her situation and drowned herself and her children in a nearby river.
Australian composer and violinist Keith Sharp has created a flexible Celtic-sounding melody divided into three parts - a melody, harmony, and bass line. Each instrument has a melody part and an easier harmony part to accommodate players of different skill levels.
Keith Sharp is a Brisbane-based string educator and composer with a Bachelor of Music degree and a post-graduate diploma in education. He has produced award-winning string programs and ensembles, and his works are popular in Australia and abroad. Keith is also active as a clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer.
Katie O'Hara LaBrie, Snow Day! for String Orchestra (Alfred Music)
Waking up on a cold winter day. Sledding. Hot chocolate. It's a snow day! Written by Katie O'Hara LaBrie, Snow Day! is craftily designed only using the notes of a D major scale. This highly accessible piece, with its bright melodies and jingle bell accompaniment will delight students and audiences.
The "Soul to Keep for String Orchestra" by Keith Sharp was published by Music House String in 2007. The score and parts are 30 cm in folio and classified as a "Concert novelty" for a string ensemble with optional vocals. The conductor's score grade is 1, and the publisher's website grade is 1.5-2. The key is D major, and the duration is 1:40. Natalie Sharp's composer bio is included.
Keith Sharp has been teaching as a string educator in the Gap region of Brisbane since his graduation with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1984. He also obtained a post-graduate diploma in education in 1995. Keith is a renowned composer whose works are popular in Australia, the United States, Great Britain, and Germany. He is also an active clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer.
