Agawa Bay

Agawa Bay, from Lake Superior Suite, Cait Nishimura (2018) 2'30"
for wind ensemble

Lake Superior Suite is a five-movement work for wind ensemble, inspired by the landscapes of five provincial and national parks along the northern shoreline of Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, holding about 10% of the world’s fresh water. The Ojibwe/Anishinaabe name for the lake is gitchigami or gichigaaming, meaning “great sea”. This piece was conceptualized during camping trips at each of the five parks, and is meant to express transformative experiences through music and highlight the power of nature connection.

The final movement, Agawa Bay, is named after a campground within Lake Superior Provincial Park. The music portrays the serenity of calm evening water, gratitude for all of nature, and the mixed emotions about returning home after a life-changing journey.

Dedicated with gratitude to Dr. Gillian MacKay at the University of Toronto

Difficulty: Grade 5

Instrumentation: Flute 1-2, oboe, bassoon, clarinet 1-3, bass clarinet, alto saxophone 1-2, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet 1-3, horn 1-2, trombone 1-2, euphonium, tuba, piano, timpani, chimes, marimba, vibraphone, percussion 1-2