"Mota Moas for String Orchestra" by Keith Sharp is a playful musical composition inspired by the extinct Giant Moas of New Zealand. It is aimed at students in late primary to early high school levels and emphasizes detache and staccato strokes. The piece is composed in D major and includes a ragtime break towards the end. It's a delightful piece that everyone can enjoy!
Keith Sharp is a string educator in Brisbane, Australia. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1984 and a postgraduate diploma in education in 1995. Keith creates award-winning string programs, composes beautiful works, and is a popular clinician, guest conductor, and lecturer in Australia and abroad.
Mota Moas for String Orchestra is a composition by Keith Sharp inspired by the Giant Moas - a species of flightless birds that existed in New Zealand before being hunted to extinction by the 1400s. The piece portrays two Moas driving around in a playful manner, reminiscent of the 1920s. It is aimed at students in late primary to early high school levels and emphasizes detache and staccato strokes. The piece is composed in D major and is suitable for first-position playing, but it also includes a ragtime break towards the end that extends the 1st violins. It is a delightful piece that everyone can enjoy!
Keith Sharp earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1984 and then started working as a string educator in the Gap region of Brisbane, Australia, where he still teaches today. In 1995, he completed a postgraduate diploma in education. As an educator, Keith has created award-winning string programs and ensembles and pursued his passion for composition. His beautifully crafted and imaginative works are extremely popular throughout Australia and have recently gained recognition from teachers in the United States, Great Britain, and Germany. He remains actively involved in his field as a clinician, guest conductor, and guest lecturer.
This music piece is for young string students. It tells the story of mice sneaking into a kitchen while avoiding a cat. It can be played as a unison melody or in a flexible 3-part setting. It includes left-hand pizzicato, harmonics, and balanced bowing patterns. The piano accompaniment is essential. It’s 1:36 long, in D major, and suitable for Grade 1.5 students.
Keith Sharp is an experienced string teacher and passionate composer in Brisbane, Australia. He teaches at Brisbane State High School and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the music education community. Keith is a guest clinician, composer, teacher, and conductor at various music camps and workshops and co-author of Encore On Strings - Music Maestros.
This 8.5-minute musical piece for an advanced high school string ensemble explores different tempos, textures, and styles based on the Celtic theme 'Flower of County Down'. The composition features a fugato, river dance, sentimental waltz, and grand finale, with the piano and percussion adding to the sound.
Keith Sharp is a successful string educator from Brisbane's Gap region. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1984 and a postgraduate diploma in education in 1995. Keith is renowned for his award-winning string programs and creative compositions that are popular in Australia and internationally. He remains active as a clinician, guest conductor, and guest 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.
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.
This piece has an Irish essence and features lively fiddle-style themes contrasting with lyrical countermelodies. As you play, pass the melodic interest between the sections and experiment with different articulations, dynamics, and timbres inherent in the music. The 1st Violins get to show off with a fun yet playable fiddle break. The piece ends with an energetic, “all-in-together” finish that will leave the audience feeling roused. Fiddle O’Finnigan is popular with students, teachers, and audiences alike! The folio includes parts for the String Orchestra (8-8-4-4-6-2), the Conductor’s score, and an optional Piano accompaniment.
"A Little Summer Suite for String Orchestra" by Keith Sharp features three unique parts. "Sun Bleached" is bright and cheerful, "Rain Come Down: A Prayer" is peaceful, and "Downpour!" is fast-paced and exciting. Perfect for grade 1 level musicians.
Keith Sharp is a string educator who earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1984. He has produced award-winning string programs and ensembles while pursuing his passion for composition. Keith's works are famous in Australia and have been discovered by teachers in the United States, Great Britain, and Germany. He is also active in conducting workshops, guest conducting, and delivering lectures.
“The Spaniard” is a piece of WSSO’s commissioned music that premiered in 2018. It tells three parts of a heroic captain’s valiant exploits. The captain survives a shipwreck, is rescued by an Irish maiden he marries, and returns to his seafaring life. The piece has lyrical melodies and is enjoyed by audiences and middle/high school students.
Keith Sharp has been teaching string music in Brisbane’s regional state schools since 1985. He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree and a Graduate Diploma in Further Education. Keith is an accomplished musician, a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and a recipient of several awards. He is a guest clinician, composer, teacher, and conductor at schools, music camps, and workshops. Additionally, he co-authors Encore on Strings - Music Maestros.
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.
