Kings of Stone: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Keith Sharp
Grade: 1.5
Item: 98-DST6091
$50.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Kings of Stone: Score | $10.00 | |
| Kings of Stone: Violin 1 | $7.00 | |
| Kings of Stone: Violin 2 (Viola T.C.) | $7.00 | |
| Kings of Stone: Viola | $7.00 | |
| Kings of Stone: Violoncello | $7.00 | |
| Kings of Stone: Double Bass/Violoncello 2 | $7.00 | |
| Kings of Stone: Piano | $7.00 | |
| Kings of Stone: Opt. Easy Violin Melody | $7.00 | |
| Kings of Stone: Opt. Easy Viola Melody | $7.00 | |
| Kings of Stone: Opt. Easy Violoncello Melody | $7.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Incredible performance flexibility makes this warm, lyrical selection perfect for any director with musicians of varying ability. Optional easy melody parts are included for every instrument so you can involve your less experienced musicians without worry. In addition, this is a great opportunity to work on tone quality and musicianship.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Beginning Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DST6091
More about this title
About the Composer: Keith Sharp
Keith Sharp brings decades of string education experience to his composing. Since 1985, he has taught string students across Brisbane's schools, and his work at Brisbane State High School emphasizes ensemble playing and collaborative musicianship. His compositions for young players have earned international recognition, with numerous pieces selected as "Editor's Choice" in major catalogs.
Sharp holds a Bachelor of Music Degree and a Graduate Diploma of Further Education, and his contributions to music education have been recognized through multiple awards, including the AUSTA State Award for Queensland. He regularly works as a guest clinician and conductor at schools and music camps, bringing his practical classroom experience directly into his writing. He is also co-author of the Encore on Strings series.
Why we love this
Sharp understands exactly what a mixed-ability string orchestra needs: music that sounds substantial while remaining accessible. The optional easy melody parts are genuinely useful, not an afterthought, giving you a real tool for inclusion without compromising the piece's musical integrity. This is also one of those rare Grade 1.5 selections that genuinely rewards attention to tone and phrasing, so your musicians learn that even simpler music demands serious musicianship.
What to expect
Warm and lyrical, Kings of Stone settles into your ensemble like a well-chosen encore. It has the lightness of novelty music without silliness, offering enough melodic substance to feel genuinely musical while never overwhelming developing players.
Who it's for
String orchestra directors managing significant differences in reading ability and experience will find this piece invaluable. Beginning ensembles with mixed instrumentation benefit from its flexibility, and established programs can use it as a bridge for newer members joining mid-year.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the easy and standard parts carefully in rehearsal by spotting which players are on which line, then adjusting dynamics so the melody remains audible regardless of instrumentation.
- Shape the phrasing through subtle vibrato and bow control rather than tempo changes; at this grade level, maintaining steady tempo while adding expressive depth teaches real bow artistry.
- Record a sectional rehearsal with just the violin I part to establish the shape and character, then layer in other sections so everyone hears the melodic contour they support.
- Plan your dynamics as a conductor first; mark your score clearly so players see consistent ensemble choices, particularly in the optional parts where fewer musicians may carry passages.
How to use it
Program this as a confidence-builder early in the concert season when your ensemble is still forming, or pair it with a more technically demanding piece to showcase your program's range and accessibility. It works particularly well in community performances or pop concerts where you want to highlight ensemble warmth rather than technical display.
Skills your students will build
- Tone quality and sustained, resonant bow control
- Phrasing and musical shaping on primarily scalar material
- Reading and executing optional parts independently
- Ensemble balance and blend across mixed ability levels
- Vibrato as an expressive, musical tool at the Grade 1.5 level