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

Mr. Bear of the Forest Met SousaTakahashi Hiroki

Forest Bear-san Met Sousa.wmv

Arranged by Hiroki Takahashi, this piece delights with its unexpected blend of a children’s song and a march.

The lively “Mori no Kuma-san” meets Sousa’s powerful marches, creating a fun atmosphere as if they’re marching together.

Between phrases of “Mori no Kuma-san,” tunes like “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “The Washington Post” pop up, bringing a grin to wind band fans.

Included on the Zoorasian Wind Ensemble’s album released in May 2023, it’s also popular as a concert encore.

Highly recommended for school bands and ensembles looking to entertain their audience.

My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Zenzenzense (movie ver.) [Official Music Video]

This is a RADWIMPS song created for director Makoto Shinkai’s animated film, singing of a fateful love that transcends time.

It’s a pop tune that conveys strength amid poignancy, marked by energetic guitar sounds and a driving, up-tempo rhythm.

Included on the album “Your Name.” released in August 2016, the track drew major attention alongside the film’s mega-hit success, and it’s also beloved as a staple at school festivals where everyone can get excited together.

If you simplify the guitar and drum rhythm parts, it can be enjoyed in performance regardless of skill level.

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.

El Camino RealAlfred Reed

Alfred Reed: El Camino Real

This Latin fantasy by Alfred Reed, who made tremendous contributions to the American wind band world, overflows with Spanish passion.

A bold work in which Reed sought to reconstruct “true Spanish music” using the melodies and harmonies of traditional dance, it is extremely well-known as a free-choice piece in wind band competitions.

From the jota section that opens with lively rhythms marked by castanets, the piece moves to an original and beautiful middle section in the style of a fandango employing changing meters, then surges back to a climactic finish—an absolutely stunning progression.

Premiered in April 1985, this work captivates performers and audiences alike with its dramatic flair.

It’s a superb choice when you want to add brilliance to a concert program and ignite the hall with excitement.

The Splendid DanceClaude Thomas Smith

The Magnificent Dances [Perfect Version] — Seika Girls’ High School Wind Ensemble (High Quality)

This is a vibrant piece that overflows with energy, as if a dazzling ball were unfolding before your eyes with people dancing briskly! It’s a work by American composer Claude T.

Smith, known for many masterpieces for wind band.

Commissioned by the United States Air Force Band, the piece features a virtuosic and grand structure spanning about nine minutes.

True to its theme of a “Folâtre” (cheerful, playful) dance, its glittering and thrilling sound captivates listeners and doesn’t let go.

Brilliant solos sprinkled across the instruments provide showcase moments that draw out each performer’s full potential.

Perfect for a main concert program or as a challenging work to demonstrate your band’s prowess! It’s sure to become an unforgettable piece that leaves a powerful impact on any audience.

March ‘The National Emblem’Edwin Eugene Bagley

March “National Emblem” / E. E. Bagley (arr. Yasuichi Hatta) National Emblem March / Edwin Eugene Bagley (arr. Yoshikazu Hatta)

The year 1902 saw the birth of a piece renowned as a pinnacle of American marches.

Edwin Eugene Bagley composed it while touring by train, and although he once discarded the score, band members picked it up and secretly practiced it.

They then delivered an unanticipated performance at a subsequent concert, which proved a great success.

Incorporating the opening motif of The Star-Spangled Banner, the work has been featured in the film Miracle on 34th Street and the TV series The A-Team, and has become indispensable at U.S.

Independence Day celebrations and military ceremonies.

With its powerful rhythms and memorable melody, it’s a compelling composition that fully showcases the appeal of wind band music—perfect for getting together with musical friends and enjoying on a day off.

Do-Re-Mi SongRichard Rodgers

Do-Re-Mi Song, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra

Richard Rodgers’s classic is cherished as an educational tool that makes learning the basics of music fun.

Featured in the musical The Sound of Music, this piece is known for lyrics that replace the scale with easy-to-remember syllables.

In this concert band arrangement, the familiar melody appears in various forms, and different instruments dance lightly over it, making for an exceptionally engaging listen.

Perform it at a school or cultural festival, and it’s sure to get the whole venue singing together—an undeniable crowd-pleaser.