Practicing is not an inherent skill; it is something that must be learned. The Big IDEA is a tried and true 4-step method designed to teach the art of practicing and enhance musical understanding. During this session we will explore The Big IDEA along with a variety of practice strategies and activities designed to help students of any age practice with purpose at home and in the classroom. Teachers will leave this session with a wealth of resources to foster independent thinkers.
Katie LaBrie
- Biographical Information
Katie O’Hara LaBrie is an active conductor, composer, clinician, and cellist from Northern Virginia. An educator at heart, Mrs. LaBrie spent the first 15 years of her career teaching orchestra in Fairfax County, Virginia and is now the Orchestra Division Editor for Randall Standridge Music Publications. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from St. Olaf College, where she studied under Steven Amundson and Timothy Mahr, and Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University, where she studied with Anthony Maiello. As a composer, Mrs. LaBrie enjoys creating new music with the goal of being educationally sound, pleasing to audiences, and fun for the players. Her compositions have received many accolades, including numerous J.W. Pepper Editor’s Choice designations, as well as performances at the Midwest Clinic and ASTA National Conferences. In 2022, she was honored as one of Yamaha’s “40 Under 40,” for her action, courage, creativity, and commitment to growth in the music education field. Mrs. LaBrie is a member of NAFME, VMEA, ASTA, and ASCAP. She is an active guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. She has presented clinics on new music (VMEA 2015, VA DoE 2019), “Practicing with Purpose” (VMEA 2017, ASTA 2021), and “How to Win Rehearsals and Influence Students” (ASTA 2022).Mrs. LaBrie is the founding conductor of the Fairfax Chamber Players, and co-creator of “The Big IDEA” practice method. She lives in Fairfax, VA with her husband Joe, who is a middle school band director, and their budding musician, Liam.
Tracy Magwire is in her 18th year of teaching in Fairfax County, Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from George Mason University where she studied under John Casagrande and Anthony Maiello.
Mrs. Magwire has been the Director of Bands at Ormond Stone Middle School in Centreville, VA since 2018. Prior to that, she was the Director of Bands at South County Middle School since its opening in 2012 and at South County Secondary School since its opening in 2005. The Stone Band program includes 2 Concert Bands, a Percussion Ensemble, and a Jazz Band. She also teaches a Music Technology course that introduces students to the non-performance side of the music industry. She has served in various capacities at the state level including Virginia Music Education Association District Instrumental Rep, VA Tri-M chair, and was the President of the Fairfax County Band Directors Association. She is co-creator of “The Big I.D.E.A.” practice method.
In addition to her career in music education, Mrs. Magwire is an active personal trainer and fitness instructor. She lives in Chantilly, VA with her husband Jonathan and her children, JB and Kaya.