A classic brass band medley

Aladdin Medleymono Satou Takeharu

Aladdin (Medley) (Wind Band Pops/Disney)

Nice! That oboe solo coming in from the low register is really cool.

It’s a classic piece, and I’d love to hear it performed by a concert band.

I think it’s a piece that people of all ages, from children to adults, can enjoy.

It really draws you in before you know it.

Deep Purple MedleyHenchoku: Sahashi Toshihiko

Deep Purple Medley Hokkaido University Wind Orchestra

This piece, cherished as a classic of wind band repertoire, is a medley that brilliantly fuses three signature songs by the British rock band Deep Purple: Burn, Highway Star, and Smoke on the Water.

Toshihiko Sahashi skillfully renders electric guitar riffs and drum beats through wind and percussion instruments, reconstructing the original rock allure with the rich sonorities unique to wind ensemble.

Released in 1996 as part of the New Sounds in Brass series for concert band, it has been frequently performed at wind band concerts and school recitals.

It has received high acclaim, including a Special Jury Prize awarded to a performing ensemble at the 6th National Popular Stage Wind Band Competition.

Galaxy Express 999Godaigo

Galaxy Express 999 / Godiego

A rock tune brimming with sci‑fi flair, created as the theme song for the film Galaxy Express 999.

Reportedly written by Yukihide Takekawa in just one night after receiving the English lyrics, the song became a major hit upon its July 1979 release, spending seven consecutive weeks at No.

1 on TBS’s music program The Best Ten.

While rooted in rock, its innovative sound breathed new life into anime songs and significantly impacted the music scene of the time.

The up-tempo rhythm—evoking a steam locomotive powerfully charging ahead—and its bold message about having the courage to move toward the future deliver maximum impact even in wind ensemble performances.

It’s a song that will give you a strong push as you strive toward your dreams.

Nursery Rhyme MedleyKojima Satomi

Nursery Rhyme Medley

Amid many sophisticated performances, this is the medley that children, toddlers, and adults can all enjoy together! Wouldn’t it be great to perform pieces like these? When it comes to classic children’s songs, this medley might be the go-to choice.

Even kids can enjoy wind ensemble music without difficulty.

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.

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.

Moonlight SerenadeGlenn Miller

Moonlight Serenade / Japan Coast Guard Band

A masterpiece whose graceful clarinet-and-saxophone harmony resonates deep in the heart.

Set to a slow swing jazz groove, it paints a scene of offering love to a sweetheart under the moonlight.

Showcasing Glenn Miller’s signature, distinctive arranging, the piece became an instant hit upon its release in April 1939.

It later served as the jingle for Subaru’s Legacy in 1996 and Mitsubishi’s Delica D:5 in 2007, and memorably colored a scene in the 2004 film Swing Girls.

Highly recommended for music enthusiasts studying wind ensembles and big band sounds.