In 1700, the Last Dodo danced The Last Waltz on Mauritius Island. Valse Triste is a B minor waltz tribute to the extinct bird. It’s a tuneful and balanced piece with a soulful cello, a lyrical first violin, and various melodies, harmonies, and rhythms for inner players. It’s an excellent practice for waltz strokes and rhythms.

Keith Sharp is a Brisbane-based string educator, composer, and guest lecturer. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1984 and has created award-winning programs and popular compositions worldwide.

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. 

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.

This is a 2-minute string orchestra piece in E minor, graded at levels 2-3. It is a fantasia on the Irish reel 'Drowsy Maggie' and can be played for violins and piano. It includes two challenging descant lines, piano accompaniment, tambourine, and a simple cello line. The conductor's score has arranger info.

Keith Sharp is a notable string educator from Brisbane, Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a postgraduate diploma in education. Keith is an award-winning composer whose works are famous in Australia and have gained recognition internationally. He is also an active clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer.

Polly, a sick cockatoo, feels lonely as her friends avoid her. This Eastern European-inspired composition is ideal for Grade 1.5 students and has a melancholic melody with a haunting piano accompaniment that lasts 2 minutes and 6 seconds.

Keith Sharp is a renowned music teacher and co-author of the beginner series Encore On Strings - Music Maestros. He has over 35 years of experience teaching string music, a Bachelor of Music Degree, and a Graduate Diploma in Further Education. Keith has received several awards for his contributions to music education and regularly appears at schools, music camps, and workshops.

Haydn’s Lost Chorale is a revised version of The Abbey, inspired by Haydn’s St. Anthony’s Chorale. It’s scored for string orchestra with optional piano, including violin 3 (treble viola) and violin parts. It features a dotted rhythm, quasi-classical textures and singing themes.

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.

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.

This music is inspired by the Tudor era's early style, where music and dance were central to courtly life. It has a melodious quality, suitable for all players, with opportunities for technical development. The piano accompaniment helps balance rhythm and pitch. It's suitable for Grade 2 and written in D Major and related keys. The authentic setting is in the style of medieval dance, providing a glimpse into the time of Henry VIII.