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. Connect with me on social media: @composercaitIf you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode.Thank you for listening!

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 CanadaAudio credits for this episode: South Dakota Intercollegiate Honor Band, conducted by Aaron PerrinePlease visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercaitIf you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode.Thank you for listening!

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 shoutoutsAshley KillamEmily Steinwall Marcus GrantPlease visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercaitIf you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode.Thank you for listening!

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 ReflectionsAudio credits for this episode:-Arizona State University and conductor Malcolm JonesPlease visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercaitIf you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode.Thank you for listening!

Episode Links:-purchase Boreal Pines -Fort McMurray wildfire documentaryAudio credits for this episode:-Ashley Brockway (audio clip)-University of Southern Mississippi Symphonic WindsPlease visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercaitIf you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode.Thank you for listening!

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

In this episode, I talk about the bird calls that inspired Ready to Fly and share a letter from the commissioner! Episode LinksReady 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:-Allen HS Wind Ensemble conducted by Philip Obado, recorded at The Midwest Clinic in December 2022-CCX Media: https://ccxmedia.org/news/song-ready-to-fly-composed-for-robbinsdale-district-band/Please visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercaitIf you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode.Thank you for listening!

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 linksPurchase a copy of A New HorizonLearn more about New Horizons bands OU New HorizonsPlease visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercaitIf you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode.Thank you for listening!

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 more about Alpine Meadow-5-part flexible version-Remote video recording on YouTube Please visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercaitIf you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode.Thank you for listening!

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-Purchase / perusal score for Autumn-Amador Valley HS recording-Flexible versionPlease visit caitnishimura.com for perusal scores, recordings, program notes, and more info about me and my work. Connect with me on social media: @composercaitIf you have a question, submit it here and it may be answered during a future episode.Thank you for listening!