Sleeping Giant

Sleeping Giant, from Lake Superior Suite, Cait Nishimura (2018) 3'
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.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, the northernmost park included in this piece, is named after a landform that resembles a giant lying on its back. This is the park in which the composer interacted with the most wildlife, experienced the most extreme jaw-dropping views, and witnessed the most beautiful moments in nature. Sleeping Giant’s disjunct melodies, shifts in timbre, and unexpected rhythmic patterns represent this experience.

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