Angharad’s Feast," composed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Brisbane’s Western Suburbs String Orchestra and honor founder Andrea Messenger, premiered in November 2019. The piece represents a family gathering, with each string section symbolizing different family members: first violins as energetic children, second violins as guiding parents, violas as aunties and uncles, and double basses and cellos as wise grandparents. With a warm and charming folk-style theme, the composition beautifully encapsulates the spirit of family, music, and life.
In Welsh history, a revered noblewoman named Angharad was a wife and mother and lived a long, noteworthy life until 1162. Her husband’s biographer praised her as a handsome blonde, gentle, eloquent, generous, discreet, kind to her people, and charitable to people with low incomes. The name Angharad means “much loved.”
“Angharad’s Feast” was commissioned by the parents and friends of Brisbane’s Western Suburbs String Orchestra (WSSO) to celebrate its 30th anniversary and honour the ongoing contributions of founder and director Andrea Messenger. The premiere performance, presented by an alum ensemble at WSSO’s November 2019 concert, was a delightful surprise for Mrs. Messenger and concluded the event with great excitement.
“Angharad’s Feast” depicts a family gathering and meal, with each string section representing different family members across the generations. The first violins symbolise the children—enthusiastic, playful, and energetic. The second violins represent the parents, who gently guide, cajole, and encourage. The violas embody the voices of aunties and uncles, while the double basses and cellos signify wise grandparents.
The piece is warm, charming, and well-paced from the very first intimate folk-style theme. The musical parts are engaging and enjoyable to play, supported by a thoughtful structure that draws all themes from the initial subject. “Angharad’s Feast” is a fitting celebration of family, music, and life.
Winter Sunshine is a musical composition created for a junior string ensemble. It has a warm vocal style that features three essential lines played in unison, opening up into a satisfying harmony and bass line. The piano part adds tonal and harmonic depth to the texture, making it easier for younger players to rehearse and perform confidently. Keith Sharp, a renowned string educator in Brisbane, composed the piece and has been recognised globally. He has a Bachelor of Music Degree and a Graduate Diploma in Further Education, is a past president of AUSTA Queensland, and is co-author of Encore on Strings - Music Maestros.
"Quasi Jig" is a piece for middle- to high-school string players. It features light-hearted accompaniments, Celtic-style fiddle themes, and syncopations. The piece is technically challenging and engaging for players with various skill levels, with melody, harmony, obligato, and accompanying roles shared among the players. Graded 3 lasts 4 minutes and 30 seconds, and it is in the key of G major/C major.
Keith Sharp is a highly experienced string educator from Brisbane, Australia. He has produced award-winning string programs and composed imaginative works famous in Australia, the US, the UK, and Germany. He remains active as a guest conductor, clinician, and lecturer.
The Dancing Peppers is a charming and light-hearted piece featuring repeated figures reminiscent of a familiar Mexican theme. The work is fun to play, yet teachers will find it packed with wonderful elementary string teaching points that help encourage both left- and right-hand technical development and refinement.
Mamba Samba is a fun and unique piece for string ensembles. It offers swing without technical difficulty, accommodates different skill levels, has optional parts for violin and viola, and includes lyrics. A MIDI backing track is also available.
Keith Sharp earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1984. He's been a string educator in Brisbane since then, creating award-winning programs and compositions. His works are popular in Australia and internationally. Keith is also a clinician, guest conductor, and guest lecturer.
Keith Sharp's "Song Lines for String Orchestra" is an appealing musical composition that showcases Keith's love for vocal arrangements. This piece is primarily designed to help players improve their musical bow division and associated melodic direction while focusing on creating tonal beauty. The piece is graded at 2.5, making it suitable for primary school A/high school B or C. It lasts 3 minutes and 10 seconds, set in D Major and related keys.
This piece is upbeat and features two contrasting themes - a rhythmic fiddling-style section and a warm Celtic air. It's engaging and encourages cohesive energy in the ensemble with clever bow techniques and fun challenges like rapid string crossings and syncopation.
Keith Sharp is a string educator in Brisbane, Australia, where he teaches and has produced award-winning string programs and ensembles. He is also a composer whose works are famous in Australia and internationally. Keith is an active clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer.
'Sailing Home' is an upbeat sea shanty played in 6/8 time. The violin parts, played in the first position, are challenging and exciting. The middle section changes to D major, adding contrast to the piece. Overall, it's a lively and enjoyable composition.
Keith Sharp's contemporary piece in D major is enjoyable to play and suitable for beginners. It features echo effects and melodious accompanying lines and is graded as a B for primary school and a C for high school.
Keith Sharp earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1984. He's been a string educator in Brisbane since then, creating award-winning programs and compositions. His works are popular in Australia and internationally. Keith is also a clinician, guest conductor, and guest lecturer.
