the composercait podcast

Happy Earth Day! This episode is about Bloom, a short piece that is based on one of the most common chord progressions in popular music. Episode links: - Purchase/peruse Bloom -Learn about Earth Day -Axis of Awesome 4-chord song -Dale Trumbore's "Staying Composed" Please visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connec...

Beneath the Canopy was commissioned as a flex band piece first and then made into a full band version. In this episode, I talk about the inspiration behind the piece, how it was all created based on one melody, and encourage folks to make connections between nature and music. Episode links: - Purchase Beneath the Canopy -Aaron Perrine's website - Lynn Valley parks - Tree Canada Audio credits...

Prompted by a recent real-life situation, in this episode I share my thoughts on saying no, making tough decisions, navigating disappointment, trusting yourself, and working at your own pace. Episode shoutouts Ashley Killam Emily Steinwall Marcus Grant Please visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media:...

This episode is about Reflections (2019) for grade 2.5 concert band, which was commissioned by the Minnesota Junior Winds. Episode links: -Learn more about the Minnesota Junior Winds - Peruse/purchase Reflections Audio credits for this episode: -Arizona State University and conductor Malcolm Jones Please visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me...

Episode Links : - purchase Boreal Pines -Fort McMurray wildfire documentary Audio credits for this episode: -Ashley Brockway (audio clip) -University of Southern Mississippi Symphonic Winds Please visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercait If you have a question, submit it here and it may...

A whole episode dedicated to answering listener questions!  Episode Links: New band piece: The Journey Begins The Band Room Podcast Please visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercait If you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode. Thank you for listen...

In this episode, I talk about the bird calls that inspired Ready to Fly and share a letter from the commissioner! Episode Links Ready to Fly: https://caitnishimura.com/pages/ready-to-fly Purchase link: https://caitnishimura.com/products/ready-to-fly   Birds Canada: https://www.birdscanada.org/ Merlin: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ E-bird: https://ebird.org/home   Audio credits for this episode...

This episode is about A New Horizon , which was written for the University of Oklahoma New Horizons Band, and features an audio clip from the commissioner, Chris Baumgartner! Episode links Purchase a copy of A New Horizon Learn more about New Horizons bands OU New Horizons Please visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with...

This week we're looking at Alpine Meadow and how it evolved from roadtrip-inspired ideas to a full piece for concert band. I also answer a listener question and talk about composing at home vs on the road. Audio credits for this episode: Christian Amonson and Arts Laureate (audio/video editing on virtual recording of Alpine Meadow) Episode links: - Purchase Alpine Meadow - Listen & learn...

This episode is all about Autumn . I talk about the evolution of this piece from poem to choir to band piece, and offer some tips for interpreting the music. Recordings credits for this episode: Toronto Youth Choir (Matthew Otto), Pacific Lutheran University Wind Ensemble (Edwin Powell), Amador Valley HS Wind Ensemble (Jonathan Grantham, David Vickerman) Episode Links: - Submit a question - Purcha...

In the first episode of this new series, I'm talking about Into the Blue , which is a short piece for grade 2 concert band. To purchase a copy of Into the Blue  for your own library, visit caitnishimura.com . Audio credits for this episode :   -Baldwin Wallace Conservatory Symphonic Band  -Margot Northcott  Please visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more...

My name is Cait Nishimura and I am a composer! In this podcast series, I’m going to tell you about each piece of music that I’ve written so far.  I’ll be sharing behind the scenes stories from creating the piece, suggestions for performers and conductors, and teachable moments within the music. I’ll answer frequently asked questions and even share perspectives from my collaborators. My goal is to...