La Mia Forza - Katie O'Hara LaBrie
La Mia Forza (my strength) is a delicate and tender original song in ¾ time, written to honor those who support us with unending love. Melodies are passed around and intertwined with flowing eighth notes as the music passes through several keys (G,C,D). Though the piece is perfectly playable in 1st position, optional parts are included to provide introductory shifting work for 1st violin and cello.
Program Notes:
La Mia Forza. My Strength.
Sometimes in life you are lucky enough to find a person who supports you. and is always there for you. They push you to be the best you can be and carry you when you fall. They are the one person who knows how to make you smile when a smile is hard to find. They can make you laugh with the silliest inside joke. They are there with you during the hardest challenges and most unfathomable times, and equally for the most heartwarming and joyous moments of your life. This person is your strength, always.
Written with love. – Katie O'Hara LaBrie
Note to the Conductor:
Though the piece is perfectly playable in 1st position, I’ve provided options for 1st violin and cello to practice shifting. Rather than confusing the students with multiple fingering options on one page you will find a Violin 1A part (shifting) and a Violin 1 (non-shifting) part, and similar for cello. I hope this helps with differentiation in your classroom and provides an opportunity for students to explore the impact that shifting can have on tone, or an opportunity for more advanced orchestras to focus on developing vibrato and musicality.
In the score, the advanced 1st violin fingerings are listed below the notes and the first position fingerings are listed (where necessary) above the notes. Advanced cello fingerings are listed above (as the standard part does not include any additional fingerings).
For younger ensembles I encourage you to keep the tempo moving, as the slower the piece is the hard it will be to execute tone and dynamics. For more advanced ensembles, strive for sustain and bow control. Make sure every held note has a purpose and direction. Try to keep the tempo from dragging, allowing for moments of rubato, while coming back to tempo.