Wonderful wind ensemble

Perfect for free selections and concert programs! Introducing famous and classic favorites in wind ensemble music.

Graduated from a music school / 21 years of piano experiencesatomi
I began playing the piano at the age of four and spent six years at a conservatory, focusing mainly on classical music while honing my skills. In addition to solo performance, I studied extensively in chamber music and two-piano repertoire, and I had the opportunity to perform twice on stage as a soloist in piano concertos. While not to the same extent as classical, I also learned jazz and pop through practical performance. I was active as a pianist in various settings, including instrumental and vocal/choral accompaniment, performance assistance for other departments, and recording sessions. Beyond the piano, I devoted five years to the trombone in a wind ensemble. I hope to draw on these experiences to share the charm of music with many people.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Members of school wind bands often get frequent chances to perform in public—at competitions (free-choice pieces), regular concerts, baseball game rallies, and even sports days! And every time, choosing the repertoire is the big headache.

Besides classic wind band standards and trending Japanese pop arrangements, if it’s a free-choice piece for a competition, you also want something that shows off your ensemble’s strengths—so when you think through everything, it can be hard to land on “this is it.” In this article, we’ll introduce a wealth of recommended wind band pieces that will surely help if you’re feeling stuck.

We’ve picked out a wide range—from dazzling numbers across various genres to stylish and cool pieces—so please find works that make you think, “We want to perform this!”

Perfect for recitals and program selections! Introducing classic masterpieces and popular standards of wind band music (121–130)

Fantasia on Japanese Folk Songs: On the Theme of “Sunayama”Samuel Hazo

Samuel Hazo / Fantasia on Japanese Folk Songs: On the Theme of 'Sunayama'

Fantasia on Japanese Folk Songs: On the Theme of “Sunayama”Samuel Hazo

It is a wind ensemble piece composed in 1997 by American composer Samuel Hazo.

As the title suggests, it is based on the Japanese children’s song Sunayama, and the piece develops around that theme.

It begins with a beautiful flute solo and, overall, is a gentle work without many intense passages.

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Three JaponismesMajima Toshio

Les Trois Notes du Japon / Toshio Mashima

Three JaponismesMajima Toshio

“Three Japanese Dances” is a piece by Toshio Mashima, known for his wind band arrangements such as those for the game Dragon Quest.

A major feature of this work is that it is an approximately 18-minute large-scale composition consisting of three movements: “Crane Dance,” “Snowy River,” and “Festival.” Performing all three movements seems challenging, but for concerts, Mashima himself has released a shorter version titled “Three Japanese Dances: Composer’s Edition,” so it might be a good idea to perform that instead.

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Legend of FireKushida Chin no Fu

Legend of Fire Kushida Chiyonosuke

Legend of FireKushida Chin no Fu

A piece distinguished by its Japanese-style melody.

Although it sits mostly in the lower register and has a slow tempo, the driving sixteenth-note beat keeps listeners engaged.

With irregular meters and swift passages in the woodwinds, it has a relatively high performance difficulty and is often chosen as a free-choice piece in competitions.

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Path of the wavesSakai Itaru

Path of the Waves — Itaru Sakai

Path of the wavesSakai Itaru

This piece was commissioned and composed in 2006 as a free-choice work for Ryukoku University’s competition.

Various scenes of waves are depicted through different instruments and ensemble melodies, particularly through rapid-note figures, and there are numerous solos and soli across individual instruments.

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For your free-choice pieces and concert programs! Introducing classic masterpieces and popular standards for wind ensemble (131–140)

Symphonic Poem for Wind Ensemble: GururiyozáItō Yasuhide

Gloriosa

Symphonic Poem for Wind Ensemble: GururiyozáItō Yasuhide

A three-movement suite themed on “O gloriosa domina,” the original chant of the hymn “Gururiyoza” passed down by the Hidden Christians of Nagasaki, interweaving Nagasaki folk songs as well.

The fusion of Gregorian chant and Japanese pentatonic scales creates a uniquely captivating charm.

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Fantasia Variations on a Theme by PaganiniJames Barnes

Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Paganini / J. Barnes — Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Niccolò Paganini / James Barnes

Fantasia Variations on a Theme by PaganiniJames Barnes

This piece is a set of variations based on the theme from No.

24, “Theme and Variations,” of Niccolò Paganini’s 24 Caprices, Op.

1, for solo violin.

In the wind band version, it consists of the theme—played by the oboe—followed by twenty variations.

Arranged by James Barnes for the United States Marine Band, the work showcases the ensemble’s exceptional performance abilities, making every instrument the star in each variation.

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Tomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuu

Yū Takahashi’s directorial debut MV “Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day” — Omokuri Director Edit Version (Short Size)

Tomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuu

“Ashita wa Kitto Ii Hi ni Naru,” a piece often chosen in wind band settings and beloved by many, blends a powerful melody with encouraging lyrics to bring hope to its listeners.

Above all, its fun and positive vibe works wonders at outdoor events and school sports days.

With lyrics and a tune that everyone can hum along to, it unites performers and supporters alike.

In the moving climax, both players and audience are sure to come together in excitement.

For sports days, baseball cheer sections, and other events, why not choose this piece? It will surely fill the venue with energy and smiles.

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