Katie O'Hara LaBrie
Composer • Conductor • Clinician
Music For Concert Band
Academic Festival March
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Carl Fischer (2024)
Grade 2.5
Academic Festival March features a range of textures, dynamics, and articulation while highlighting a stately dotted eighth note motive throughout. Strong homophonic presentations of the main theme are balanced with antiphonal play between the upper and lower voices. Though written primarily in Bb Major, a short minor modulation will stretch your students to explore different finger patterns. This courtly march provides students with ample learning opportunities and paths to success, making it the perfect "academic festival" or contest opener.
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All is NOT Calm
(a not-so-silent night)
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MakeMusic Publications (2024)
Grade 1
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Imagine the sweet sounds of "Silent Night" lulling you to sleep when the next-door neighbors start blasting various holiday carols at full volume! All Is NOT Calm, arranged by Katie O'Hara LaBrie, is a musical battle between woodwinds, brass, and percussion that features snippets of various holiday favorites. This is sure to engage your students as they explore dynamics in a fun and creative way.
*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice​
Boundless Spirit
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Randall Standridge Music (2025)
Grade 1
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"Boundless Spirit" reflects the enthusiasm and boundless energy of beginning band students as they embark on their musical journey. The lively rhythms and strong melodies highlighted by the low brass capture the excitement and determination of the students as they discover the joy of making music together. At the heart of the piece is also a tribute to the band director, who’s giving nature and dedication inspire and guide these young musicians at the start of their journey and beyond. Their combined efforts create a powerful synergy, making music that is full of hope, energy, growth, and promise.
Commissioned by the Brandon Valley Intermediate School 5th grade Band of Brandon, South Dakota, under the direction of Del Hubers, in honor of their performance at the 2025 South Dakota Bandmasters Conference.
Eine Kleine March Music
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MakeMusic Publications (2023)
Grade 1
Explore multiple style periods with this clever arrangement that sets Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in the style of a march! The familiar melodies, presented with a creative twist, are sure to make this a student favorite. Add a dogfight section and rousing final strain, and you have a winner! Eine Kleine March Music may just be your new favorite march! (1:30)
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*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
Fortify
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FJH (2022)
Grade 1
Guards at the ready! Time to fortify the castle! This powerful, medieval-inspired work juxtaposes physical strength and inner strength through contrasting marcato and legato sections. Sixteenth-note rhythms drive a very active percussion section that propels the piece forward, while strong thematic and harmonic writing in all sections creates a feeling of fortitude. The rhythmic energy that continues throughout is sure to energize your students!
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Written for the Liberty Middle School Bands, Clifton, Virginia; Joe LaBrie, Director
*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
Hanukkah Dances (for band)
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Alfred (2022)
Grade 2
Liven up your holiday concert with a medley of four familiar Hanukkah tunes (Hanukkah, Hanukkah; Sivivon; Dreidel; and Maoz Tzur) - perfect for beginning to advanced levels. Everyone gets a chance to play the melody in this exciting arrangement. Each song is introduced separately, then intertwined, and even overlapped together for lively finale. A best seller in the string orchestra, now available for concert band!
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Performed at the 2023 Midwest Clinic
Home
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Randall Standridge Music (2025)
Grade 1.5
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Home is a heartfelt, lyrical piece that reflects on the many meanings of home. Shimmering percussion represent the nostalgia of home, while harmonic shifts play with the idea that home isn't always easy. Opening with a solo flute, this piece ebbs and flows dynamically taking us to different places, but always coming back to the main melody, always coming back to home.
Morning Star
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MakeMusic Publications (2025)
Grade 2
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This musical reflection reminds listeners to take a brief pause each day to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Morning Star by Katie O'Hara LaBrie showcases flowing melodies gracefully passed between sections while rich harmonies provide a warm foundation. Ample percussion is included, providing a sparkle that is sure to let the stars shine.
On Guard!
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Randall Standridge Music (2024)
Grade 1
On Guard! Katie O’Hara LaBrie has crafted a dramatic new work for young band that is sure to be a hit with your developing musicians! On Guard combines driving rhythms and minor mode melodies with exciting percussion to make a piece that sounds both fun and dangerous. A great selection for an opener or closer, this work is a must have for your library of engaging works for younger players.
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*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
Performed at the 2024 Midwest Clinic
On the Horizon
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MakeMusic Publications (2023)
Grade 1.5
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This powerful work represents vision and hope, inspired by a vision of a never-ending horizon. A beautiful opening suggests the sun rising on a new day before moving into a triumphant melody with uplifting woodwind interludes. The music embeds a strong sense that one can be ready for anything that lies ahead On the Horizon. (2:00)
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Performed at the 2024 Midwest Clinic
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Snow Day
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Alfred: Belwin (2025)
Grade 1.5
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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 using limited range and a jolly melody that outlines the B-flat major scale. This highly accessible piece, with its bright melodies and jingle bell accompaniment, will delight students and audiences alike.
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Waltz Macabre
​For Concert Band, String Orchestra, or Combined Ensembles
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MakeMusic Publications (2025)
Grade 1.5
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In a haunted, moonlit ballroom, ghosts emerge from the shadows to dance a mysterious waltz. Waltz Macabre by Katie O'Hara LaBrie captures the eerie elegance and playful mischief of this ghostly dance in a unique work for band, designed to work seamlessly with the string orchestra version to create your very own full orchestra!
