Wind Ensemble: Brass Band Pieces Popular with Girls. Masterpieces of Wind Music Recommended for Women.

ArsenalJan Van der Roost

Arsenal — Jan Van der Roost <Guest Conductor> Jan Van der Roost — Kinki University Wind Ensemble

This is a majestic concert march composed by Belgian composer Jan Van der Roost, known for his many works for wind and brass bands.

It opens with a valiant fanfare, and the middle section unfolds into a spacious, beautiful melody that gently enfolds the heart.

Composed in May 1996 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a Belgian ensemble, its noble yet warm sound seems to express both the joy of celebrating history and hope for the future.

It has been performed by world-renowned groups such as the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, and its festive sonority continues to captivate many wind band enthusiasts.

It is a perfect piece for opening a concert or celebrating a new beginning.

Sakura SongFukuda Yosuke

Narashino City Narashino High School Wind Ensemble 50th Regular Concert - Sakura no Uta (Song of Cherry Blossoms)

A masterpiece with a delicate, moving melody that grips the heart, evoking scenes of cherry blossom petals dancing in the air.

This is a work by Yosuke Fukuda, a composer renowned for his many wind ensemble pieces.

For those who have played in concert band, memories will surely come flooding back—“We performed this at a competition,” “I always want to listen to it when spring arrives,” and so on.

Said to have been completed after roughly 15 years of conceptual development, the piece begins in silence and unfolds on a grand scale that captivates listeners and won’t let go.

It was selected as the Set Piece I for the 2012 All Japan Band Competition and was also featured in Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama 366 Days.

An unfading song that forever overlaps with the memories of youth.

Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE

Tokoha University Affiliated Tachibana High School, Wind Music Major: “Blue and Summer” — 24th All-Japan High School Wind Ensemble Competition in Yokohama

When it comes to songs that are perfect for a concert band, Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s “Blue and Summer” is an absolute must.

With its fresh, breezy melody and a vibe that evokes snapshots of youth, this track has been arranged for wind ensemble, captivating the hearts of band girls everywhere.

Its vivid, summer-evoking sound is sure to energize and inspire, offering both vitality and hope.

It also works wonderfully as a school festival number or a sports cheer song, leaving a positive impression on audiences.

Why not showcase this crowd-pleaser at your next concert?

Tanabata (Star Festival)Sakai Itaru

Tanabata / Itaru Sakai — The Seventh Night of July / Itaru Sakai

This is Ikaku Sakai’s famous piece “The Seventh Night of July (Tanabata),” which is popular among junior and senior high school students.

Its popularity stems not only from the fact that Sakai himself drew on the Japanese custom of Tanabata as the theme and crafted the work to be accessible and easy to play, taking inspiration from a wide range of music—from wind band and classical to pop—but also because he composed it while he was in high school, making it relatable to that generation.

The piece’s sense of drive and sparkle captures the hearts of young listeners, while the beauty of the middle section evokes memories of youth for adult wind band enthusiasts.

For many female wind band players, it’s the sparkle and the beauty that stand out.

“Fairytale” 2024 All-Japan Band Competition, Set Piece IIISakai Itaru

Itaru Sakai / Set Piece III: Fairy Tale

Composed by Itaru Sakai—well known for works such as “Tanabata” and many other wind band pieces—this is a required piece for the 2024 All-Japan Band Competition.

Its charming, fairy-tale-like atmosphere feels as if you’ve stepped into a storybook world and is sure to capture the hearts of many female wind band members.

Within its graceful and gentle character, it weaves in tempo changes and a rich palette of colors, which is a notable feature.

Though the performance demands a high level of technique, this work allows players to fully savor both the joy and the depth of wind band music.

School HeavenFingā 5

School Paradise (Brass Band Hit)

When it comes to pop songs that have long been loved by a wide audience, this one surely comes to mind.

“Gakuen Tengoku” performed by a wind ensemble has a special power to capture people’s hearts.

Even if you didn’t know the song in real time, many people have probably heard it.

The Finger 5 melody evokes school scenes and the bittersweetness of young love, making it especially recommended for school band programs.

The intro section also lends itself to fun call-and-response with the audience, so performing it at, say, a school festival will heighten the sense of unity and excitement in the venue.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Battle Suite for Wind Ensemble “Evangelion”Sagisu Shirō

Wind Ensemble: Battle Suite from Evangelion — Shiro Sagisu / Masamicz Amano

A must-listen for wind band girls who love Eva! This piece was arranged by Masamicz Amano, a renowned figure in Japan’s wind band scene, compiling only the battle-scene tracks from the hugely popular anime “Evangelion.” It begins with a fierce fanfare and unfolds over about eight minutes in a way that conjures scenes from the show.

Every track is a hype booster, but the thrill of getting to play the iconic battle theme “DECISIVE BATTLE” is on another level.

It’s a piece I’d recommend not only to wind band fans but also to anime fans.