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 free selections and concert programs! Introducing famous and classic wind band favorites (21–30)

Folk Tale for Wind EnsembleJim Andy Caudill

Folktale for Wind Ensemble [Concert Band]

Folk Tale for Wind EnsembleJim Andy Caudill

The piece begins with a crash cymbal and mid-to-low register instruments, gradually adding woodwinds and then trumpets to create a sense of dynamics.

Technically, it doesn’t demand anything too difficult, making it a very clear and easy-to-listen-to composition.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

from the musical Les MisérablesClaude-Michel Schönberg

From the musical Les Misérables [Wind Band] / Schönberg (arr. Kazuhiro Morita) (Large Ensemble / Grade 5) / Performance: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Central Band / Conductor: Lieutenant Colonel Akira Takeda / Wind Band Work COMS-85071 [Full Recording]

from the musical Les MisérablesClaude-Michel Schönberg

A medley of songs from the musical Les Misérables.

Following the flow of the famous story, it condenses the narrative without compromising its grand worldview.

The richly varied wind ensemble timbres and shifting tempos feel like scene changes, letting you fully savor the world of Les Misérables.

“I Dreamed a Dream” is also famous for having been sung by Susan Boyle at her audition.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Great for free-choice pieces and concert programs! Introducing famous and classic favorites of wind band music (31–40)

Little Mermaid MedleyHoshide Takashi

Little Mermaid Medley

Little Mermaid MedleyHoshide Takashi

This is a medley from the Disney film The Little Mermaid.

It’s an irresistible piece for Disney fans.

After the lively Under the Sea, there are captivating solos by saxophone, trumpet, and flute.

Then the climax awaits, ending the piece in a way that seems to evoke the vastness of the ocean.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince IgorAlexander Borodin

Polovtsian Dances (Dances of the Polovtsians) for Wind Band

Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince IgorAlexander Borodin

A piece famous for its poignant oboe theme solo.

The lively clarinet melody that follows is another highlight.

Since it’s been used in commercials and elsewhere, many people may have heard it.

The composer, Borodin, was multi-talented and also renowned as a chemist.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

The Star-Spangled Banner ForeverJohn Philip Sousa

The Stars and Stripes Forever

The Star-Spangled Banner ForeverJohn Philip Sousa

Known as one of John Philip Sousa’s signature works, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” is a popular march in the wind band repertoire.

Since marches are very often set as required pieces in band competitions, many ensembles perform this piece outside the competition season to practice marching style.

It’s also a staple encore selection at regular concerts.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

RiverdanceBill Whelan

Riverdance [Wind Band] / Bill Whelan (Arranged by Tomohiro Tatebe) (Large Ensemble / Grade 4) / Riverdance / Bill Whelan / Performed by: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Central Band Wind Band Work COMS-85102

RiverdanceBill Whelan

A wind band arrangement compiling music from the stage production Riverdance, which centers on tap dance and Irish music.

Its lively, nostalgic melodies—mainly in 6/8 and 7/8 time—are popular.

Although it isn’t an easy piece, it was once a trend as a free-choice selection in competitions.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Armenian Dances, Part 1Alfred Reed

Armenian Dances Part 1 / Alfred Reed — Armenian Dances Part 1, Ryukoku University Wind Ensemble

Armenian Dances, Part 1Alfred Reed

Armenian Dances is known as one of Alfred Reed’s signature works; he composed many pieces for wind band.

Although the piece is a suite divided into Part 1 and Part 2, many ensembles choose to perform Part 1 at wind band competitions because of its rich variety of musical character.

In Part 1, the final section in particular really raises the performers’ energy.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem