Pride of the Highlands: Violin 1
By Katie O'Hara LaBrie
Grade: 3.5
Item: 98-PC-DST6533_VN1
$7.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
Journey to the vast countryside of Scotland as you imagine the sound of bagpipes rolling over a heather moor. Memorable melodies abound in every part, portraying the strength and pride of the Scottish Highlanders as well as the beauty of the Highlands. Ideal for expanding range, rhythmic understanding and musical expression.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Pride of the Highlands: Violin 1 comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
FJH String Orchestra
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DST6533_VN1
More about this title
About the Composer: Katie O’Hara LaBrie
Katie O'Hara LaBrie is a composer, conductor, and cellist based in Northern Virginia who built her artistic voice through 15 years of orchestra teaching in Fairfax County public schools. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from St. Olaf College studying with Steven Amundson, and her Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University with Anthony Maiello.
LaBrie's compositions consistently balance educational rigor with genuine musicality and joy. Her work draws inspiration from family, nature, and her deep understanding of what students need to grow as musicians and ensemble players. She has been recognized as a J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice composer multiple times, received performances at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Directors Clinic and the American String Teachers Association Conference, and was named one of Yamaha's "40 Under 40" in 2022. Beyond composing, she founded the Fairfax Chamber Players and co-created "the Big IDEA" practice method, reflecting her commitment to intentional musicianship.
Why we love this
LaBrie captures the dramatic sweep of Scottish landscape through memorable, singable lines that sit naturally in each voice part. The piece avoids the trap of cultural pastiche by grounding itself in genuine melodic storytelling, making it equally satisfying to rehearse and to perform. For Grade 3.5 orchestras working toward festival season, this is the kind of piece that sounds impressive without requiring heroic technical demands.
What to expect
Highland wind sweeps across open moorland as broad, confident melodies unfold against a landscape of shifting harmonies. The music breathes with the spaciousness of Scotland's geography while maintaining an intimate, storytelling quality that draws listeners into the heart of the music.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level who are developing ensemble cohesion and expressive playing. This score and parts set works equally well for community youth orchestras, school programs preparing for competitions, and chamber string ensembles seeking accessible yet substantial repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the bagpipe-inspired melodies with a singing quality in the sustained passages; avoid a thin, detached tone even when the rhythmic content feels straightforward.
- Balance the primary melody against the harmonic foundation by monitoring whether second violins and violas are blending appropriately in the inner voices.
- Drill the rhythmic figures that suggest bagpipe articulation in isolation, then gradually blend them back into the fuller texture so they enhance rather than obscure the melodic line.
How to use it
Open a festival or concert program with this piece to establish mood and transport your audience immediately. It pairs well with lighter baroque transcriptions or contemporary art music, offering a sonic anchor that feels substantial without overwhelming younger ensembles. This is also an excellent choice for adjudicated festival competitions where judges reward both technical clarity and musical maturity.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining tone quality across long, exposed melodic lines
- Balance and blend in four-part string harmony
- Rhythmic independence when playing against contrasting figures in other sections
- Expressive phrasing and dynamic shaping in a lyrical context
- Awareness of cultural music traditions and their integration into ensemble playing