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.
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- [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
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- 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 to Excite with Wind Ensemble (31–40)
Disney’s Fantillusion!Hoshide Takashi
Among sheet music for wind ensembles, there are many Disney-related arrangements, and this medley is one of the most popular.
It recreates Disney’s Fantillusion!, the nighttime parade that took place at Tokyo Disneyland from 1995 to 2001.
It opens with the Fantillusion fanfare for a dazzling start, followed by a succession of familiar Disney classics like “Heigh-Ho” and “A Whole New World.”
The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster
Little Glee Monster’s “Sekai wa Anata ni Waraikaketeiru,” a huge hit among young people.
It opens with a beautiful clarinet melody, then passes the tune between various instruments through solos and soli.
It feels just like Little Glee Monster weaving their vocals together.
The transition from the sections where only the melody is played to everyone joining in for the final climax is truly moving.
Deep Purple MedleyDeep Purple
Among songs by Western rock bands, this Deep Purple medley is especially popular in the wind band world! It features three of their signature tracks: Burn, Highway Star, and Smoke on the Water.
People who listened to Deep Purple in real time, of course, and even those who didn’t, have probably heard these three songs somewhere! That said, this medley is designed so that even those who’ve never listened to them at all can get excited.
Some may wonder, “Can you really play hard rock with a wind band?” but the powerful performance, interwoven with solos from each section, is absolutely breathtaking!
broad daylightKing Gnu
A popular song by the mix-genre rock band King Gnu.
It opens with an alto sax solo, and the melody is then passed on to the clarinet.
Since the original features a high register, high-pitched instruments take center stage.
There are also solos for saxophone, flute, piccolo, and oboe throughout the piece! As the melody is woven by various instruments, it’s important to value the horizontal connections when performing.
KINGKanaria
“KING,” produced by the Vocaloid creator Kanaria, captivates listeners with its dark atmosphere and story-rich, distinctive world.
Released in 2020, the song quickly drew attention and has been covered by numerous artists, including Amatsuki and Mafumafu.
Its memorable melody, which rises and falls repeatedly, becomes undeniably cool when played in unison by horn instruments along with percussion like glockenspiel and xylophone.
While staying true to the original song’s world, enjoy a performance that’s delightfully spooky and cute.
From Classics to Popular Medleys: A Collection of Pops to Energize with Wind Ensemble (41–50)
horizonback number
Although they are a rock band, back number is known for their gentle, emotionally resonant sound, and their fourth digital single, “Suiheisen,” is a prime example.
The song was reportedly written for high school students who were aiming for the Inter-High but had their event canceled due to COVID-19.
It’s a masterpiece that comforts you when things are beyond your control.
A highlight is the concert band arrangement, where an alto sax solo shines within the calmly progressing sound.
It’s also a relatively approachable piece to tackle, so why not consider adding it to your program?
idolYOASOBI
Since their debut single Yoru ni Kakeru became a massive hit, the music duo YOASOBI has enjoyed worldwide popularity, particularly among younger generations.
Their 19th digital single Idol, written as the opening theme for the TV anime Oshi no Ko, is an upbeat track with hysteric synth sounds and an irregular melody that sticks in your head.
Arranging it for concert band softens the sound and gives it a different feel, making it enjoyable for both performers and listeners.
It’s a catchy number guaranteed to hype up any concert.
