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.
Polly is a sulphur-crested white cockatoo who suffers from beak rot and feather disease. As a result, she has a bald and scruffy appearance, which has caused her friends to avoid her as they fear catching the disease. This has made Polly feel lonely and downhearted.
This composition is a melancholic melody inspired by Eastern European folk songs, and it is accompanied by a piano. It can be performed in unison or with a mixture of harmony and bass lines. The piece is suitable for primary B students at the Grade 1.5 level. It provides an excellent opportunity for string groups to practice their phrasing and tonal connection with the instrument at an elementary stage.
The haunting yet straightforward melody will linger in the minds of the audience and students long after the concert. The piece is approximately 2 minutes and 6 seconds long and in the key of E Natural minor.
Keith Sharp has been a string music teacher at several regional state schools in Brisbane, Australia, since 1985. In 2012, he started teaching at Brisbane State High School, where his program focuses on group tuition and ensemble. Keith enjoys composing imaginative and appealing pieces for string students, which young players around the world now perform. The FJH Music Company and Alfreds in the US have published his works. These educational ensemble pieces have consistently been highlighted as “Editor’s Choice” in the J.W. Pepper Orchestral Music Catalog.
Keith is highly qualified with a Bachelor of Music Degree and a Graduate Diploma in Further Education. He is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and has received several awards for his contribution to music education in the region. In 2006, he received the Ryan Recognition Award, and in 2013, he was awarded the “Can Do” Educator of the Year award. Additionally, Keith has served as the President and committee member of AUSTA Queensland and was recognized with a State Award by AUSTA in 2012. He is a sought-after guest clinician, composer, teacher, and conductor and regularly appears at schools, music camps, and workshops. Keith also co-authors the popular beginner series Encore On Strings - Music Maestros.
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.
"March Triumphant" in G major is a majestic piece suitable for special occasions. Its stirring rhythmic motifs provide satisfying melodies for all instrumentalists. Rehearse ensemble tone, dynamic contrasts, and rhythmic precision for uniformity. Confirm G major finger patterns within the ensemble.
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 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.
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.
This lively fiddle-style tune with a fun melody and bright harmonies will surely please any crowd. Advanced violin players can try the optional octave extension included in the piece. As the toe-tapping tune develops, the melody is traded around the ensemble, making it memorable and fun!
Keith Sharp is a renowned string educator who completed his Bachelor of Music degree in 1984. He has been teaching in Brisbane since then and holds a postgraduate diploma in education. Keith is also a composer and produces award-winning string programs and ensembles. Additionally, he serves as a clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer.
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.
"Masque of Arne" is a musical piece with a quasi-renaissance style featuring two different dance types. The first section is lively and upbeat, while the second is more ambient and tonal. The two can be performed separately or in succession, with a return to the first dance using da Capo to end the performance.
Keith Sharp is a string educator in the Gap region of Brisbane, Australia. He completed his Bachelor of Music in 1984 and a postgraduate diploma in education in 1995. Keith is an award-winning composer and highly regarded clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer, with his works being popular in Australia and internationally.
Arabesque art features repeating geometric patterns, often found in mosques. The style mimics plants and animals and symbolises the unity of faith in Islam. Arabesques are also classical piano pieces, like Debussy's Deux Arabesques, composed in 1888 and 1891, featuring playful linking of simple melodies.
Keith Sharp has been a renowned string educator in Brisbane's Gap region since 1984. He has produced award-winning string programs and compositions well-known in the United States, Great Britain, and Germany. Keith is also an active clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer.
