Episode 78 - Cait Nishimura

Cait Nishimura is the winner of the 2017 Canadian Band Association Composition Competition and a rising star as a composer for band. Topics: Cait's background growing up in Canada, playing the bass clarinet, going to an arts high school, and deciding to become a composer. Commissions and how and why Cait made the transition from aspiring teacher to full time, self-published composer. Being a young, non-white, Canadian composer and how that has helped Cait along the way, but how writing good music that connects with audiences is ultimately the most important factor in her long-term success. The sense of belonging and acceptance that she got from being in band. Links: Cait Nishimura, composer Canadian Band Association Composition Competition Nishimura: Chasing Sunlight Holst: The Planets Biography: Cait Nishimura (b. 1991) is a Canadian composer and music educator based in Toronto, Ontario. Described as having a "refreshing buoyancy", her music uses minimalist patterns, simple yet lush harmonies, and themes that linger in listeners' minds, drawing inspiration from the beauty of the natural world. Nishimura strives to present contemporary concert music that is accessible and approachable by musicians of all levels. Her work for wind band, Chasing Sunlight, was selected as the winner of the 2017 Canadian Band Association Composition Competition, and has since been added to the Music Fest Canada national syllabus. Nishimura holds undergraduate degrees in music and education from the University of Toronto. Her work is regularly programmed and commissioned by ensembles across North America, where she is in demand as a visiting composer and educator.  --------- This episode is sponsored, in part, by VanderCook College of Music. With a world-class faculty, a location just minutes from downtown Chicago, and an intensive summers-only masters program, it's no wonder VanderCook College of Music has graduates teaching music in all 50 states, 21 countries, and 6 continents. Make next summer your most inspiring summer yet by pursuing a Masters in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. And for the next generation of music educators, VanderCook offers an exceptional, comprehensive 4-year Bachelor of Music Education program. VanderCook Admissions information is available at www.vandercook.edu.