[Wind Band] Guaranteed to hype up the school festival! Recommended pieces the brass band will want to play

Theme of ShotenNakamura Hachidai

WSL-09-007 Shoten Theme (Wind Ensemble Selection)

With its light, friendly melody, this piece is perfect for performance by a wind band.

Composed by Hachidai Nakamura, it features a bright tone that blends elements of jazz and pop, and has been used as the opening theme for a long-running program broadcast on the Nippon TV network since May 1966.

It is included on the album “Hachidai Nakamura Works: Ue o Muite Arukō,” and many versions have been arranged for ease of performance.

It’s recommended for wind ensemble members to play on dazzling stages or in lively open spaces.

Adopted as educational material, it is also familiar as an ensemble piece for recorder and guitar, making it a work that can delight audiences across generations.

Scootin’ on Hardrock: Three Improvisatory Jazz-Style Dance PiecesDavid R. Holsinger

Holsinger: Scootin’ on Hardrock – Tokyo Wind Symphony Orchestra

A wind band masterpiece overflowing with swingy, jazzy vibes you can’t resist.

It’s by the renowned American composer David R.

Holsinger, an energetic suite made up of three short, scat-inspired dances.

An anecdote about “dashing quickly” down the worn-out roads of his hometown—tinged with humor—fuels the piece’s breezy, improvisational feel.

Just listening makes you want to move.

It’s included on the album The Music of Holsinger, Vol.

8, and in 2012 it was featured in drum corps competition, captivating audiences with its sheer cool factor.

The thrilling back-and-forth between woodwinds and brass is sure to send both performers and listeners into high gear! A perfect pick for anyone who wants to stand out in concert and fire up the crowd with a technical showpiece.

The Wind of ProvenceTasaka Naoki

2015 All-Japan Band Competition Required Piece IV: March “Winds of Provence” / Naoki Tasaka

A refreshing and dazzling wind band piece that brilliantly paints the landscapes of Spain and Provence in music.

Created by Naoki Tasaka, this work masterfully blends the passionate rhythms of Spain with the gentle melodies of Provence.

The world evoked by the bold brass fanfares and the graceful woodwind lines is sure to captivate listeners.

Selected as the required piece IV for the 2015 All-Japan Band Competition and performed by many ensembles, this work is an excellent choice not only for competitions but also for concert programs.

Otona Blueatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu

Otona Blue / Atarashii Gakko! [Osaka Toin High School Brass Band]

Atarashii Gakko! is a four-member dance-vocal group that boasts the highest number of TikTok followers among female artists in Japan and is drawing attention overseas.

Their digital-only single Otona Blue, released on May 1, 2020, became a hot topic for its nostalgic melody reminiscent of Showa-era kayōkyoku and its impactful head-shaking dance.

Its catchy phrases leave a strong impression even in wind band performances.

With an ensemble that feels pleasant across generations, it’s a highly recommended pop tune.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Magellan’s Challenge to the Unknown ContinentTarumiya Masanori

Masanori Taruya / Magellan’s Challenge to the Unknown Continent

A dramatic and cool piece composed by Masanori Taruya with the theme of great adventures in history.

It portrays the grand challenge of an Age of Discovery explorer setting out for unknown continents, powerfully stirring the spirit of adventure that lies dormant in the listener’s heart.

The hopeful departure, the indomitable will to face hardships, and the joy of discovering a new continent are expressed dramatically, letting you savor a complete story.

This work was recorded by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra on the album “WORKS IV -Dream of W.D.O.-,” released in October 2014.

It’s perfect for bands that want to convey a vast worldview in competition and push their own limits! Why not perform as if you were the protagonist of the story?

Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride — “Into the Heat of Battle ~ Confronting the Undying Foe”sugiyama kouichi

Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride — From Engaged in Battle to Challenge the Immortal Enemy – BRASS EXCEED TOKYO

One thing that’s hard to leave out of a school cultural festival is a wind ensemble performance of video game music.

Among game music, the soundtrack of the national favorite “Dragon Quest” is truly iconic.

Affectionately known as “DQ,” the series has multiple titles that sold over three million copies, and many students at school have surely played it.

These days even teachers are part of the Dragon Quest generation, so performing it will undoubtedly be a huge hit.

Especially recommended are selections from the Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest V; in particular, “Fighting Spirit ~ Confronting an Immortal Enemy,” which features the regular battle and boss battle themes, delivers the kind of powerful impact only a wind band can provide.

The moment the character of the piece comes through, the audience will recognize it as “Dragon Quest,” and you’ll see plenty of grins during the performance.

There are published wind band arrangements available for purchase, so we’d be delighted if you’d consider adding this to your list of potential pieces.

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sai-kisaragi

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Disney Medley – Arranged by Naohiro IwaiVarious Artists

Disney Medley

This is a popular wind band medley that skillfully weaves together seven iconic Disney songs.

From “Mickey Mouse March” to “When You Wish Upon a Star,” beloved classics cherished around the world appear one after another over the course of about nine minutes.

With Naohiro Iwai’s exquisite arranging, the transitions between pieces flow naturally, immersing you as if listening to a single story.

Released in 1981 as Volume 9 of Yamaha’s New Sounds in Brass series, this work had a major impact on the history of pop-style arrangements for wind band.

A performance by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra can also be enjoyed on the album “New Sounds in Brass Happiness Best: Disney Selection.” Because these songs are loved by all generations, from children to adults, performing this medley at cultural festivals or school festivals is sure to fill the venue with smiles.