Bow Olympics: Viola

LaBrie's piece distills the Olympic spirit into a narrative arc that feels genuinely earned rather than imposed. The original composition gives your orchestra ownership of the material in a way that contest pieces often lack, and the integrated PerformancePlus+ resources mean you're not hunting across three different sources for exercises and pacing guidance.

The piece carries the kinetic energy of preparation and striving without sacrificing musicality. Listeners experience the psychological arc of training, gathering focus, and pushing toward a goal; the music itself climbs steadily in confidence and intensity.

String orchestras at the 2.5 grade level preparing for festival competition or looking for repertoire that builds ensemble cohesion around a concrete, exciting concept. Directors seeking accessible original material that still demands musical decision-making will find this especially useful.

• Use the PerformancePlus+ exercises to isolate and rehearse the specific bowing techniques in context before tackling the full score. Block rehearsals by technical demand rather than by section, so all players confront the challenges simultaneously.
• Record the ensemble regularly during rehearsals and listen back as a group. The 2:45 length makes it feasible to do multiple run-throughs in a single rehearsal; comparison listening reveals tempo consistency and ensemble balance issues faster than verbal feedback alone.
• Shape dynamic contrasts deliberately around the "training" and "competition" sections. Resist the urge to play hard throughout; the contrast makes the intensity landing moments land far harder.

This works well in a contest or festival concert where thematic programming strengthens the overall impression. It also serves as an excellent mid-year confidence builder for orchestras that need a piece they can realize musically within a few weeks of rehearsal while still feeling ambitious.

• Controlled, articulated bowing techniques appropriate to Grade 2.5 string writing
• Dynamic shaping and narrative pacing across a single-movement form
• Ensemble balance and intonation under sustained, moderately technical passage work
• Interpreting composer intent through musical character rather than technical instruction alone