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

Star Wars Main TitleJohn Williams

Star Wars Main Title / John Williams - Main Title from the film “Star Wars” performed by the Ryukoku University Wind Ensemble

The theme song of the globally beloved blockbuster Star Wars series is Star Wars Main Title.

Composed by John Williams, a leading American film composer, it has won both an Academy Award for Best Original Score and a Grammy Award.

From the very first note, the piece delivers a powerful, lavish sound, making it perfect as an opening number.

Many people have likely heard it, so consider using it as the first song to grab attention at your school festival performance!

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Hamada Takuya

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Detective Conan Main ThemeŌno Katsuo

Detective Conan Main Theme - Ritsumeikan University Cheerleading Squad Wind Ensemble

The theme song of Japan’s iconic mystery anime Detective Conan is Detective Conan Main Theme.

Composed by Katsuo Ōno—who also scored the smash-hit drama Taiyō ni Hoero!—the piece was released in 1996 as the eighth single by the Katsuo Ōno Band.

Its sound somewhat resembles the Taiyō ni Hoero! Theme, reportedly because Detective Conan’s creator, Gosho Aoyama, requested a similar feel.

The powerful intro is cool, and the simple, memorable melody has a mature edge that really hits home.

It’s a perfect piece to perform in style at a school cultural festival.

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Hamada Takuya

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sparkleFuji Kaze

Kirari / Fujii Kaze, Ritsumeikan University Cheerleading Band

One of the most popular pieces for wind ensemble is Kirari by Fujii Kaze.

Used in a Honda VEZEL TV commercial, this song features a stylish, high-speed melody and a bouncing 16-beat groove that feels great.

Since it’s for wind band there are no lyrics, but those who know the song will likely hum the words in their heads.

The lyrics, which evoke youthful adolescence, are especially appealing.

With its rhythmic character, getting the audience to clap along at a concert makes it even more exciting!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Racing into the NightYOASOBI

[Tried Performing] Racing into the Night (YOASOBI) / Kyoto Ryo-yo High School Wind Ensemble

The smash hit that took the world by storm with a fresh sound in 2020 was YOASOBI’s “Racing into the Night” (Yoru ni Kakeru).

Released at the end of 2019, it dominated various charts.

An arrangement for wind band is also available, arranged by Mikio Goma, the head of the sheet music publisher Winds Score, which primarily publishes scores for wind ensembles.

In Goma’s arrangement, both the high and low register instruments get their moments to shine in the chorus, so definitely give it a try at your school festival!

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Hamada Takuya

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Overture to AlcobacaJames Barnes

Alvamar Overture / J. Barnes

A wind band work composed by James Barnes in 1981.

It is characterized by rich, brilliant orchestration and flowing melodies that captivate listeners.

With a performance time of about eight minutes and a grand structure, this piece offers challenging elements for each section and performer, providing a strong sense of achievement in both practice and performance.

Dedicated to the Wichita Public Schools Junior High Honor Band and its conductor in 1981, it’s sure to energize any venue when performed at cultural or school festivals.

Dragon Quest Concert Selectionsugiyama kouichi

Dragon Quest Concert Selection / Koichi Sugiyama

A brass band medley whose fanfare announces the beginning of a grand tale of a hero known as the Player, instantly capturing listeners’ hearts.

Koichi Sugiyama, one of Japan’s leading composers, provided the timeless original melodies, which arranger Toshio Mashima has shaped into a dramatic 9-minute-48-second work.

Reimagined from video game music for the concert hall, this piece is structured to evoke vivid images of a hero journeying across vast lands and confronting formidable foes.

The fact that its source piece, Overture, was used at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics further attests to its musical significance.

With its thrilling, valiant sound, presenting it as the climax of a concert is sure to sweep the audience into a whirlwind of excitement.

Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts

Bling-Bang-Bang-Born / Creepy Nuts [Osaka Toin High School Brass Band]

This is the opening theme song for the second season of the TV anime “Mashle: Magic and Muscles,” featuring a magically addictive, heavy beat and a striking chorus.

Released by Creepy Nuts in January 2024, the track skillfully fuses Jersey club sounds with flexible, inventive ideas, earning support from a wide range of listeners.

While vividly expressing the work’s grand worldview, its message—about living unconstrained by convention and maintaining strong will—captures listeners’ hearts and won’t let go.

It gained attention through dance challenges on social media and sparked major buzz at home and abroad, reaching No.

80 on Spotify’s Global Top 100 chart for January 15.

It’s a perfect song for amping up school festivals and live events.