A Collection of Pop Hits for Wind Band: From Classics to Popular Medleys
What kind of pieces are performed at wind ensemble concerts?
Familiar pieces that have been passed down as club traditions and that year’s competition set pieces are common, but pop music is also essential for concerts.
It’s not just formal wind band works—Japanese and Western pop songs that everyone recognizes really get the crowd going!
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended pop tunes to perform with a wind ensemble.
We’ve selected a wide range, from the latest J-pop to classic staples and medleys arranged for wind band.
Popular songs usually have scores available, so no worries!
- Perfect for free selections and concert programs! Introducing famous and classic favorites in wind ensemble music.
- A classic brass band medley
- [Wind Band] Guaranteed to hype up the school festival! Recommended pieces the brass band will want to play
- [J-POP] For those who want to listen to everything! A compilation of medleys by popular artists
- A popular anime song medley. Classic and popular anime songs.
- A collection of video game music I want to perform in a wind ensemble
- [Brass/Wind Band] Recommended for Beginners! A Collection of Classics and Popular Pieces Perfect for Practice
- Youthful songs recommended as theme songs and openings for cultural and school festivals
- [Uplifting Songs] A curated selection of popular and latest tracks to energize your school cultural festivals!
- [History] A roundup of popular set pieces from the All-Japan Band Competition
- [Wind Ensemble] Recommended Western pop songs for concerts: timeless classics from every era
- Recommended pieces for a wind band contest
- [March] A curated selection of classic marches and dazzling crowd-pleasers for concerts!
[From Classics to Popular Medleys] A Collection of Pops That Fire Up in Wind Ensemble (71–80)
Shut up.Ado
Ado’s “Usseewa” attracted attention across various media, including YouTube, and became a massive hit.
Released digitally in 2020 as her debut single, the song achieved strong results on numerous music charts.
With its aggressive yet compelling message aimed at society and adults, it resonated with many listeners, especially younger audiences.
Performed by a wind ensemble, it’s sure to bring out the song’s full power and drive.
Highly recommended for those who want to deliver a performance that throws a provocative stone into the pond, so to speak.
Racing into the NightYOASOBI
This is one of YOASOBI’s signature songs, famous for their style of turning novels into music.
In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a video of the Osaka Toin High School Wind Ensemble performing it was posted on YouTube and became a huge sensation! Not only does it have a lively, catchy tempo, but it’s also extremely well-known and popular, so it’s sure to get the crowd excited at a concert.
The arrangement emphasizes dynamic contrast, allowing you to fully showcase both the power and elegance of a wind ensemble—aim for a wonderful performance!
New EraUta from ONE PIECE FILM RED
Many of you may be thinking about performing anime songs.
For those people, “New Genesis” is also recommended.
This is a track created by Ado for the film ONE PIECE FILM RED.
It was performed at the Kohaku Uta Gassen, so even those who haven’t seen the movie are likely to know it.
Throughout the piece, the drums take the lead, creating a melody that conveys grandeur and a dignified, imposing atmosphere.
Give a powerful, full-impact performance!
Omens of LoveIzumi Hirotaka, Mashima Toshio
Known as a staple of wind ensemble repertoire, this piece is a masterpiece that arranges one of T-SQUARE’s signature songs for concert band.
The original version, released in 1985, was composed by Hirotaka Izumi.
Through Masahiro Majima’s arrangement, the charm of fusion music is expressed in a wind ensemble setting, making it a popular piece frequently performed at many band concerts and competitions.
Characterized by a melodious and dramatic style, it resonates deeply with listeners.
It’s the perfect piece to energize a wind ensemble performance.
Spring Dayaimyon
Aimyon’s “Harenohi” opens with a light, airy melody led by woodwinds and trumpet.
Be sure to listen for the saxophone solo and the trumpet soli as well! Not only the melody, but also the rhythm section and the instruments adding interjections create a cute and lively atmosphere.
In the middle section, the low-register instruments take the melody too! It’s a piece where every instrument gets a moment to shine.
Flower of loveaimyon
“Ai no Hana” is a song Aimyong wrote as the theme for the NHK morning drama Ranman.
The theme songs for NHK morning dramas are always very popular across a wide audience and are familiar to many listeners.
The original features a simple guitar sound and Aimyong’s signature passionate vocals that move the listener’s heart, but this wind band arrangement is also gorgeous and warm, offering a different image that’s just as wonderful.
SOUVENIRBUMP OF CHICKEN
A song by BUMP OF CHICKEN written as the opening theme for the smash-hit anime SPY x FAMILY Season 2.
Its sound overflows with uplifting, forward-driving energy that evokes a protagonist charging straight down the path toward someone precious—perfect for wind ensemble performance! Incorporating the intro drums as well as guitar and bass gives it a more band-like sound, which is highly recommended.
A lively tempo runs throughout, and the contrasting timbres of each part resonate pleasantly.
You could even add handclaps in the middle section.
Listeners are sure to feel excited by this fun performance!
