The National Band Assocation at Indiana University is launching an exciting new project where they will commission a new work for the wind band repertoire by composer Cait Nishimura. The National Band Association (NBA) is a university student organization through the Jacobs School of Music that is dedicated to promoting the musical and educational significance of bands.
This project began in January 2021 when faculty advisor for the student chapter, Dr. Jason Nam, sparked the idea of commissioning a new work for the wind band. The National Band Association 2020-2021 Executive Board at the time included Ava Traum (President), Paul Yoo (Vice President), Ellie Kopp (Secretary), Madeline McCarthy (Treasurer), and Nate Seman (Webmaster). These five individuals identified their composer of choice, Cait Nishimura, due to her rich background in music education, the way her values aligned with the NBA mission, and her ability to write music that is sophisticated yet accessible for younger musicians. The piece will be a Grade 3 work for wind ensemble, approximately 3-4 minutes in length. Nishimura was very excited about this collaboration, and members of the NBA Executive Board were able to meet with her via Zoom to discuss the scope of this project. The incoming 2021-2022 NBA Executive Board will be taking over this project this summer: Madeline McCarthy (President), Paul Yoo (Vice President), Cristina Sarrico (Secretary), Sonya Bangia (Treasurer), and Delaney Ruble (Webmaster).
“Cait Nishimura is a Canadian composer, songwriter, and music educator based in Toronto. Known for writing melody-driven, programmatic music, Cait has quickly established herself as a prominent voice in the concert band community. With influences from minimalism and pop music, her work is full of simple yet lush harmonies, and themes that linger in listeners’ minds. A lifelong nature-lover, she draws inspiration from the beauty of the natural world and aims to transport listeners to the landscapes she writes about.” – caitnishimura.com, “About the Composer”
The National Band Association will be teaming up with the Jacobs Community Engagement Initiative on this project! The NBA envisioned this project involving community engagement with music students in local schools, and the Initiative proved a great partner due to our extensive relationships with partner communities in southern Indiana. Paoli, Salem, Huntingburg, and Nashville will all be involved in this NBA project – they will have their name on the score of the piece and will also be granted exclusivity rights to perform the commissioned musical work. The JSoM-CRE and NBA teams are thrilled about this collaboration, and seeing the enthusiasm of representatives from the partner communities has been even more exhilarating.
It has been planned to fly Cait Nishimura from her home in Toronto, Canada to Bloomington, Indiana during the Spring 2022 semester for the premiere of the piece. The premiere will be played by the Indiana University Concert Band, conducted by Dr. Jason Nam. Ms. Nishimura will conduct a workshop with local students from the four southern communities where they will have the chance to interact with her and learn about the composition process. Ms. Nishimura will also be working with students in the Jacobs School of Music while she is in Bloomington.
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