Perfect for free selections and concert programs! Introducing famous and classic favorites in wind ensemble music.
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!”
- Recommended pieces for a wind band contest
- A Collection of Pop Hits for Wind Band: From Classics to Popular Medleys
- A classic brass band medley
- [History] A roundup of popular set pieces from the All-Japan Band Competition
- [Brass/Wind Band] Recommended for Beginners! A Collection of Classics and Popular Pieces Perfect for Practice
- [March] A curated selection of classic marches and dazzling crowd-pleasers for concerts!
- [Wind Band] Guaranteed to hype up the school festival! Recommended pieces the brass band will want to play
- [Uplifting Songs] A curated selection of popular and latest tracks to energize your school cultural festivals!
- A collection of video game music I want to perform in a wind ensemble
- Wind Ensemble: Brass Band Pieces Popular with Girls. Masterpieces of Wind Music Recommended for Women.
- Songs with cool trumpet. Introducing famous pieces from wind ensemble and jazz.
- [Wind Ensemble] Wind band pieces that men like. Masterpieces of wind band music recommended for men.
- [Wind Ensemble] Recommended Western pop songs for concerts: timeless classics from every era
For free selections and concert programs! Introducing famous and classic wind band favorites (21–30)
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.
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.
Great for free-choice pieces and concert programs! Introducing famous and classic favorites of wind band music (31–40)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.