[History] A roundup of popular set pieces from the All-Japan Band Competition
The brass band competition that wind ensemble players across the country aim for has been held every year.
Each year, the competition organizers provide several set pieces, and when you participate, you may find yourself wondering which one to perform.
Among past set pieces, there are quite a few that continue to be cherished as masterpieces, and it’s common to perform them at regular concerts.
In this article, we’ll introduce all the set pieces from the wind ensemble competition, from the latest selections to popular pieces from the past.
Use it as a reference when choosing your piece for this year’s competition or for your next concert program.
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- [March] A curated selection of classic marches and dazzling crowd-pleasers for concerts!
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- [Wind Ensemble] Wind band pieces that men like. Masterpieces of wind band music recommended for men.
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- A Collection of Pop Hits for Wind Band: From Classics to Popular Medleys
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- To you who are thinking about quitting the brass band club: You shouldn’t quit for reasons like these.
- Wind Ensemble: Brass Band Pieces Popular with Girls. Masterpieces of Wind Music Recommended for Women.
[Historic] Summary of Popular Set Pieces from the Wind Orchestra Competition (21–30)
March ‘Memories Refrain’Itō Shion
A march notable for its dazzling modulations from the very beginning and the lively interplay unique to wind band instrumentation.
With refined tonal writing and beautiful harmonies, it incorporates contemporary elements to create an ambitious work.
While honoring tradition, it brings in a fresh breeze—showcasing the talent of the young composer, Shion Ito.
Published by the All-Japan Band Association in February 2025 and selected as the 2025 All Japan Band Competition Required Piece III, its appeal is spreading through performances by ensembles across the country.
This piece enables performers to rediscover the allure of their own instruments and offers a heart-stirring experience that captures the joy of ensemble playing.
Yamagata Fantasy: for Wind EnsembleSugiura Kunihiro
This piece, Yamagata Fantasy ~for Wind Ensemble~, was composed by Kunihiro Sugiura, who is known both as a composer and as a percussionist.
The title written in hiragana catches the eye, and the explicit subtitle “for Wind Ensemble” signals how well-suited it is as a contest piece.
The work also won the 31st Asahi Composition Award.
With a performance time of about five minutes, it incorporates elements and melodies of Yamagata folk songs, as suggested by “Yamagata” in the title.
[Historic] Summary of Popular Set Pieces from the Wind Band Competition (31–40)
Prelude to the Music FestivalAlfred Reed
The piece selected as the required work in 1970 was “A Festival Prelude,” composed by the American composer Alfred Reed.
It’s frequently performed in Japan, so many people with wind ensemble experience will likely be familiar with it.
It opens with a fanfare motif, showcasing the brilliant tones of the brass.
The main theme unfolds in an orchestral sound led by woodwinds, saxophones, and cornets.
A second fanfare then follows, allowing listeners to savor the grandeur of the performance more deeply.
Please lend an ear to its dynamic, beautiful sonorities, beloved across generations.
AyersTajima Tsutomu
Airs is a piece with a majestic yet deeply moving charm.
It was selected as the second required piece in 2004.
The composer is Tsutomu Tajima, who has written numerous works for wind band and is also dedicated to education as an elementary school principal.
Some may know him from pieces like Piccolo March and WISH for Wind Orchestra.
Airs has a relaxed atmosphere that brings a sense of calm to the listener.
Brilliant, showy wind band music is wonderful, of course, but pieces that let you savor the sound like this one are lovely too.
March “April Leaf”Kondō Yūsuke
Selected as the second set piece for 2019 was March “April Leaf,” composed by Yusuke Kondo from Kanagawa Prefecture.
It’s a pop-style number that gives a bright, sunny impression throughout, with lively brass tones that really shine.
According to Kondo, he drew inspiration one April while riding a bus, from the fresh green scenery he saw through the window—hence the title.
It’s a piece that lifts your spirits whether you listen to it or perform it!
March Shining RoadKiuchi Ryo
March Shining Road opens with the brilliant timbre of brass that evokes a bright future.
Selected as the 2017 Required Piece II, it was composed by Ryo Kimura.
As a march that unfolds with a steady rhythm, the key is to be mindful of the changes in scenes throughout the piece and add accents for each instrument.
The result is an orthodox yet powerful orchestral sound in which the harmonies of percussion and wind instruments resonate brilliantly.
Pay special attention to the trumpet and saxophone parts as they build excitement toward the climax.
Memories of Sorrow — for Wind Ensemblemaekawa tamotsu
Selected as the 2022 set piece V—a higher-difficulty selection for high school division and above—“Memories of Sorrow: for Wind Ensemble.” With a performance time of about five minutes, the piece was composed by Yasushi Maekawa, a Kyoto native who began teaching himself composition and arrangement in junior high school and now coaches wind ensembles and marching bands at junior and senior high schools in Kyoto.
The work also took first place in the 13th All-Japan Band Association Composition Competition.
It’s a piece brimming with tension and urgency that draws listeners in irresistibly.