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!”

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

A fragrant instantNagao Atsushi

2012 Contest Piece (V) - Fragrant Fleeting Moment

A fragrant instantNagao Atsushi

The 2012 All-Japan Band Competition required piece.

Despite frequent use of irregular meters, its complex structure obscures a clear sense of meter, and its unusually high difficulty for a required piece became a hot topic.

While the performance demands considerable skill, the piece possesses a mysterious charm.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Theme from Mission: ImpossibleLalo Schifrin

Mission: Impossible Theme / Lalo Schifrin / Arr. Seiji Miyagawa

Theme from Mission: ImpossibleLalo Schifrin

You can enjoy that spy action theme song—often used in movies and TV dramas to create a sense of urgency—in a concert band arrangement! Showcasing the brilliance of Lalo Schifrin, this piece captivates with its distinctive rhythms and innovative sound that fuses elements of jazz and Latin music.

Its striking character skillfully conveys the tension and unpredictability of espionage, irresistibly drawing in both performers and listeners.

With its rich variety of melodies and dynamic rhythms that bring out the full appeal of wind band, this work is also recommended as an ensemble piece that lets players share the joy of music through performance.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Variations on a Hymn by Louis BourgeoisClaude Thomas Smith

Variations on a Hymn by Louis Bourgeois / Claude T. Smith Ryukoku University Wind Band

Variations on a Hymn by Louis BourgeoisClaude Thomas Smith

Variations on a Hymn by Louis Bourgeois is a grand set of variations composed in 1984 by American composer Claude T.

Smith.

The highlight of the piece is undoubtedly the trumpet solo in the middle, where the key lies in how beautifully one can deliver the expansive melody.

Additionally, all parts feature many passages with fine rhythmic subdivision.

While it is a relatively challenging work, the sense of accomplishment when performed well is all the greater.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Toys ParadeHirayama Yūichi

[Main Feature] 2020 (21) All-Japan Band Competition Required Piece I: Toy’s Parade

Toys ParadeHirayama Yūichi

This is one of the set pieces for the 2020 All-Japan Band Competition, which was unfortunately canceled due to the impact of COVID-19.

Among those set pieces, this one is particularly popular.

It’s divided into a section with a lively, march-like rhythm that stands out, and another where you can fully appreciate the beauty of wind instruments.

In particular, the march section features a melody that conveys a sense of charm, enhanced by elements like trombone glissandi and trills in the flute and clarinet that further color the character of the melody.

Incidentally, the 2020 set pieces, including this one, were carried over and used as the set pieces for 2021 as well.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

March “Ramses II”Abe Yuichi

1995 Required Piece (I) March "Ramses II"

March “Ramses II”Abe Yuichi

An exotically flavored work by wind band composer Yuichi Abe, themed around the great kings of ancient Egypt.

The brilliant fanfare that opens the piece and the heroic sonority of the horn section that follows are striking, vividly portraying the Pharaohs’ overwhelming majesty and their grand historical saga.

Selected as a required piece for the All-Japan Band Competition in 1995, it is also known for having challenged many players.

For those who have competed, many may have special memories tied to this work.

Though demanding, it is a piece that allows performers to fully showcase their abilities.

Perfect for bands aiming to captivate audiences with a sweeping, dramatic performance.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem