I Spy: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$50.00 USD

I Spy: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: I Spy: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-50704
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Katie O'Hara LaBrie

Grade: 1

Item: 00-50704

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This engaging work by Katie O'Hara LaBrie becomes 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. A fun work with a truly cinematic feel! (2:00)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, I Spy: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: MakeMusic Developing Strings

Publisher: MakeMusic Publications

ISBN10: 1-4706-5996-4

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-5996-7

UPC: 038081576763

SKU: 00-50704

More about this title

About the Composer: Katie O'Hara LaBrie

Katie O'Hara LaBrie brings 15 years of orchestra teaching experience from Fairfax County, Virginia into her work as a composer and conductor. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from St. Olaf College and her Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University, studying with Anthony Maiello.

LaBrie's compositions prioritize three things: solid pedagogy, audience appeal, and genuine fun for the musicians playing them. Her work has earned frequent J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice recognition, performances at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Directors Clinic and American String Teachers Association Conference, and recognition as one of Yamaha's "40 Under 40" in 2022. She founded the Fairfax Chamber Players and co-created "the Big IDEA" practice method.

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Why we love this

This piece captures the theatrical energy of young string players without requiring them to navigate complex technical demands. The cinematic storytelling (secret agent missions, ninja sneaking, surprise bursts) gives your students a narrative frame for musical expression, making dynamic contrasts feel purposeful rather than abstract. Grade 1 orchestras will sound polished and purposeful with this one.

What to expect

Cinematic and playful, with sudden tonal shifts that keep listeners alert. The piece moves from stealthy, quiet moments into explosive bursts of activity, creating a sense of surprise and fun that matches the spy-themed narrative without ever feeling precious or over-the-top.

Who it's for

This work suits early-level string orchestras ready to explore dynamic range and articulation styles with purpose. Grade 1 ensembles will find the technical demands reasonable while the musical storytelling keeps rehearsals engaging and performance rewarding.

How to get the most out of it

Establish clear character during rehearsal for each "spy" moment: sneaky pizzicato passages need lightness and precision, while the attack moments demand crisp articulation and unified dynamics from all players.
Layer the staccato sections gradually in rehearsals, starting with just the rhythm section locked in before bringing in melodic voices, so the ensemble develops a clean, cohesive texture.
Use the two-minute length to your advantage by programming this in a concert slot where high energy and sharp focus are needed; the cinematic arc makes it an excellent opener or a spot-on closer for a young orchestra concert.

How to use it

This piece works beautifully as a concert opener that immediately signals to your audience they're in for something lighter and character-driven. Its 2:00 duration and high engagement factor make it ideal for young orchestra showcases, school assemblies, or festival programs where you want to demonstrate both technical growth and musical personality.