Katie O'Hara LaBrie
Composer • Conductor • Clinician
Music For String Orchestra
Camelot Quest
Alfred: Belwin (2021)
Grade 1.5
Imagine riding through Camelot on a quest to save the kingdom. Every player will be the hero in this medieval inspired tune. Written in e minor, students will be introduced to D#’s through low 1st finger as well as dotted quarter rhythms in every part. Students and audiences alike will love the mixed energy of marcato ostinato patterns vs the legato melodies. The journey concludes with a joust-like battle adding excitement to any concert or festival program. Optional percussion adds to the medieval flair.
*Available in SmartMusic *Parts Available for Flex Orchestra
Deck the Halls with Bows & Rosin
MakeMusic Publications (2024)
Grade .5
The perfect first winter concert piece for your beginners, Deck the Halls with Bows and Rosin is incredibly fun and hits all major beginning skills, including pizzicato, arco, and even rosining the bow! Using only three-part writing, limited ranges, and simple rhythms this piece is accessible to new musicians and fun for all! (1:30)
Hanukkah Dances
Alfred: Belwin (2019)
Grade 1.5
Liven up your holiday concert with a medley of four familiar Hanukkah tunes (Hanukkah, Hanukkah; Sivivon; Dreidel; and Maoz Tzur) that are perfect for beginning to advanced levels. Everyone gets a chance to play the melody in this exciting arrangement. Technical considerations include optional shifting for 1st violins while cellos work on extensions.
*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
*Available in SmartMusic
Dragon Chase
Alfred: Belwin (2023)
Grade 1.5
Who doesn't love an exhilarating, one-octave, E-minor tune about Dragons?! In Dragon Chase driving rhythms and melodies echoing from section to section will engage your students. Musical elements---such as marcato, accents, crescendos, and bow lifts---make it an excellent teaching piece. The first violin part includes carefully placed low 2s on the A string, while the other sections stick mainly to a 6-note range.
Hanukkah Dances
Alfred: Belwin (2019)
Grade 1.5
Liven up your holiday concert with a medley of four familiar Hanukkah tunes (Hanukkah, Hanukkah; Sivivon; Dreidel; and Maoz Tzur) that are perfect for beginning to advanced levels. Everyone gets a chance to play the melody in this exciting arrangement. Technical considerations include optional shifting for 1st violins while cellos work on extensions.
*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
*Available in SmartMusic
G Street Rock
MakeMusic Publications (2023)
Grade 1
Get ready to rock! And improvise! And learn notes on the G string! G Street Rock, by Katie O'Hara LaBrie, promotes both music literacy and creativity. A four-bar vamp allows students to improvise or perform suggested solos. A "Guide to Improvisation" is included on the back of each student part, along with sample solos, and the score includes a lesson plan with sequential steps to teaching improvisation. An optional drumset part adds even more excitement!
*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
Hanukkah Dances
Alfred: Belwin (2019)
Grade 1.5
Liven up your holiday concert with a medley of four familiar Hanukkah tunes (Hanukkah, Hanukkah; Sivivon; Dreidel; and Maoz Tzur) that are perfect for beginning to advanced levels. Everyone gets a chance to play the melody in this exciting arrangement. Technical considerations include optional shifting for 1st violins while cellos work on extensions.
*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
*Available in SmartMusic
I Spy
Make Music Publications (2023)
Grade 1
I Spy sounds like a secret agent soundtrack as students spy around corners, sneak stealthily like ninjas, and burst out in surprise attacks. I Spy uses a wide range of dynamics and styles, including staccato, pizzicato, and accents. Cellos and Basses are introduced to 2nd finger on the A string, while everyone else sticks to the traditional major tetrachord. A fun work with a truly cinematic feel! (2:00)
*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
In the Bleak Midwinter
Randall Standridge Music (2024)
Grade 1
Orchestras from beginning to advanced will sound amazing in this lush arrangement of In the Bleak Midwinter. Full of rich harmonies and ample opportunities for phrasing, one would never notice that the piece is crafted with simplified rhythms and limited range. An added piano part keeps the piece moving forward with rolling waves of eighth notes while each of the string sections take a turn at melody and moving lines.
Jurassic Rock
Wingert Jones (2022)
Grade 1.5
Mrs. LaBrie grew up with a family of rock musicians and wanted to show that even the earliest orchestra students can rock! This piece is craftily written using only the D and A Strings, while teaching the difference between F# and F natural. The doubling of Second Violins with Viola, as well as Cello with Bass, will enhance the strength of your sections. Optional piano and drums add to the full rock and roll sound.
*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
On Guard!
Randall Standridge Music (2024)
Grade 1.5
Swords at the ready! It’s time to duel in this driving work where strong accents ring out the sounds of slashing swords and precise pizzicato parallels the footwork of a fierce fencer. “On Guard!”
Sky Suite
Alfred: Belwin (2019)
Grade 1.5
There is a method book hidden within the context of this concert piece! While floating through the "Clouds," "Rain," "Thunder," and "Sun," this multi-movement work focuses students on music literacy. A-, D-, and G-string notes are introduced one movement at a time. Throughout each of the movements, students will explore different time signatures, tempi, and bow techniques---then get a chance to put all their knowledge together in the finale. Perfect as a review for intermediate players or even as an intro to music reading for beginners!
Performed at the 2019 Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic. *J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
Access lesson plans from the composer (smart music optional)
Snow Day
Alfred: Belwin (2022)
Grade 1
Waking up on a cold winter day. Sledding. Hot Chocolate. It’s a Snow Day! Craftily designed only using the notes of a D Major scale, this accessible piece with its bright melodies and jingle bell accompaniment will delight students and audiences alike. Now available with optional downloadable open-string parts - contact Katie for more information.
*J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice
*Available in SmartMusic
The 101
Randall Standridge Music (2023)
Grade .5
Imagine cruising down highway 101 in Southern California, top of the convertible open, wind in your hair, radio set to your favorite new rock tune. This is the vibe of The 101, a new rock tune by Katie O’Hara LaBrie. Carefully crafted using only 1st finger and open strings, it will make your young orchestras sound like rock stars! Piano accompaniment and optional drumset bring this piece to the next level while your students focus on the building blocks of music literacy.
