“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.
La Llorona is a musical composition created for a high school string orchestra, with the option of adding percussion instruments. The piece is programmatic, meaning it tells a story through music. It is based on a Spanish/Mexican legend and lasts approximately 6 minutes. The legend tells the story of a girl child named La Malinche, born into a noble Aztec family but sold into slavery to Mayan merchants. The music begins with an Entrada, representing the Spanish fleet’s grand arrival. The Spaniards, led by Cortés, started to colonize Mexico.
Tango: La Malinche works as a translator for the conqueror and soon becomes his mistress.
Serenata: La Malinche is happy and in love with Cortés. She gives birth to his twin boys.
Fandango: Cortés continues his conquests. The King and Queen of Spain, fearing that Cortés has betrayed them and is building his empire, repeatedly request his return to Spain. He refuses, arguing that they will lose their new territories if he leaves Mexico. The King and Queen send a beautiful Spanish lady of noble birth to help change his mind.
Bolero: The Spanish aristocrat seduces Cortés and convinces him to return to Spain with his two sons. Cortés tells La Malinche of his decision to depart for Spain with his children and new love. Emotions run high, and a sense of impending doom prevails.
Vivo Accelerando: La Malinche, now realizing her role in helping Cortés massacre her people and the hopelessness of her plight, prays to her gods for help. One of the gods appears to her, sternly advising: “Do not let him take your children, for one of them will return to destroy your people.” The night before Cortés’ departure, La Malinche escapes with the babies and tragically drowns herself and the children in a nearby river.
'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.
Want a unique addition to your concert? This piece uses vocal "boks" to create the sound of a frantic chicken in a kitchen. It has separate parts for cellos and basses, and optional lyrics for your choir are included.
Keith Sharp is a renowned string educator and composer from Brisbane. He has produced award-winning string programs and ensembles, and his works are highly popular worldwide. Keith is also an active clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer.
"On the Road Again for String Orchestra (Level 2)" is a cheerful and lighthearted piece by Keith Sharp, suitable for primary school ensembles and younger middle school students. The music has a charming country sound that evokes the feeling of singing and driving. The contrast between folk-style rhythms and a legato theme creates a lovely balance in the music and helps to teach bowing techniques. The music is graded at level 2, with an approximate duration of 2:20, and is in the key of G Major.
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.
Fiddle Fever by Keith Sharp is a lively country-style music piece for string orchestra. It has memorable intertwining lines passed among the sections, supported by a bass line and an optional piano accompaniment. Perfect for all ages, this piece will make you tap your toes and enjoy some real toe-tappin' fiddlin' with your partner!
Keith Sharp is a celebrated music teacher in Brisbane, Australia. He has a Bachelor of Music degree and a postgraduate diploma in education. Keith is known for his exceptional string programs, ensembles and compositions. His music is popular in Australia and internationally. Keith is often invited to work as a clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer.
The Crocodile Hornpipe is a piece of music for varying skill levels. Upper strings play in 1st position; lower strings play an easy chromatic walking bass—lively crocodile theme played by 3rd violins, violas, and cellos with a spiccato texture. Later, a 1st violin fiddle-style descant is added. Bass line anchors arrangement—optional piano part for more support.
This music features rich cello and viola lines with harmonics and pizzicatos. Playing with an optional 2-part choir score and piano accompaniment is enjoyable. Add a massed choir and strings for a school concert performance. It is a 'Music House' classic.
Keith Sharp is a well-established string educator in Brisbane, Australia, who has worked in the Gap region since 1984. He has produced award-winning string programs and compositions that have gained recognition worldwide. In addition to his teaching career, he is active as a clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer.
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.
Boxed:
Sticky Header:
Sticky Add To Cart
Sticky Footer:
Font:
