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!
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- [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 Wind Bands (21–30)
FateOfisharu Higedan Dism
A song by Official HIGE DANDism that energized the 101st National High School Baseball Championship as the theme for the 2019 ABC TV/TV Asahi network program “Netto Koshien.” Eighty-seven students selected from across Japan took part in the recording for the wind ensemble and chorus.
With its pop, beautiful melody and powerful brass section, it’s an exceptionally cool track!
ultramarineYOASOBI
YOASOBI’s masterpiece “Gunjō” evokes bittersweet warmth and powerful emotions.
The commemorative live “SING YOUR WORLD” for their T-shirt collaboration with UT was especially memorable—the harmony between the richly colorful tones of the Osaka Toin High School Wind Ensemble and YOASOBI’s expressive performance was so beautiful it was moving.
It pairs exceptionally well with wind ensemble, and even playing it yourself would surely lift your spirits! As a defining J-pop song of the 2020s with enduring support, it’s guaranteed to bring the excitement.
From Classics to Popular Medleys: A Collection of Pops to Excite with Wind Ensemble (31–40)
mixed nutsOfisharu Higedan Dism
Known by the abbreviation Higedan and acclaimed for their exceptional pop sensibilities that have taken the J-pop scene by storm, Official HIGE DANDism deliver their seventh digital single.
Written specifically as the opening theme for the TV anime SPY×FAMILY, the track kicks off with a hysteric guitar and a high-speed running bass that instantly lifts the excitement.
With a jazzy arrangement featuring a brass section, it’s also a great pick for wind ensemble performances.
A thrilling, fast-paced ensemble makes this a fun pop tune—one you’ll definitely want to take on.
Theme of Lupin the ThirdŌno Yūji
This piece is practically a staple at wind ensemble concerts—it’s performed so often it’s almost a given! It’s the theme from the hugely popular anime Lupin the Third, and I’m sure it’s a tune everyone’s familiar with.
It’s up-tempo, with the drum set laying down a steady beat throughout, giving it a fantastic groove.
The melody alternates between the brass and woodwinds, creating a great sense of presence and excitement.
There are solo spots for various sections in between, offering plenty of highlight moments, and it’s sure to bring the whole venue together for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
No doubtOfisharu Higedan Dism
Official Hige DANDism’s “No Doubt” starts off with a slightly jazzy vibe.
After the drums set the tone, the flute and piccolo, trumpet, and trombone weave the melody.
It’s a captivating piece whose charm lies in how the mood shifts throughout the song—from cool to beautiful to light and sprightly.
BetelgeuseYuuri
Yuri’s popularity first took off on social media among younger listeners and has since spread across a wide range of age groups.
Many people have surely been captivated by his voice.
The song “Betelgeuse,” released in 2021, was used as the theme song for the drama “SUPER RICH.” Many of Yuri’s songs are mellow and meant to be listened to attentively, which makes them a perfect fit for performance by wind ensembles.
Familiar songs are easier to get the audience excited about, right? And since it’s a number that also conveys a sense of grandeur, it pairs very well with the timbre of wind instruments.
It’s the cutest ever!Chou Tokimeki♡Sendenbu
A smash hit from Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu that captures the feelings of a girl reframing heartbreak in a positive light! It’s trending on social media for its catchy dance and uplifting lyrics written and composed by Koresawa.
Featured on the January 2024 album “Tokimeku Koi to Seishun,” the song exploded on TikTok, surpassing 100 million total views.
With lyrics and a music video depicting a girl bettering herself after being dumped, it’s sure to gently encourage anyone hoping to overcome a broken heart.
Perform it at a concert with a wind ensemble, and the whole venue is bound to brighten up.