[Brass/Wind Band] Recommended for Beginners! A Collection of Classics and Popular Pieces Perfect for Practice

JupiterGustav Holst

Jupiter / Holst (Keiichi Kurokawa) Thaxted — A tune from Jupiter by Gustav Holst (arr. Keiichi Kurokawa)

Among the movements of The Planets, a suite for large orchestra composed by the British composer Gustav Holst, the most famous is Jupiter.

In Holst’s home country, the United Kingdom, the melody from the middle section of Jupiter is so beloved that it has been adopted as a patriotic song and a hymn in the Church of England.

In Japan as well, singer Ayaka Hirahara released a song in 2003 titled “Jupiter,” which set lyrics to that middle-section melody and became a major hit.

Many of you have probably heard it somewhere.

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Passion Continent CollectionHakasé Tarō

Passion Continent Collection

This piece by Taro Hakase, a very famous Japanese musician, is a classic that everyone knows.

Its simple yet profound melody makes it easy even for beginners to play.

In the third movement, the grand treatment of the melody becomes irresistibly cool.

SedonaSteven Reinek

Sedona for wind ensemble

This is a masterpiece of program music that depicts the landscapes of red rock mountains and deep canyons spread across Arizona, USA, with a magnificent sound.

It is a work by the American composer Steven Reineke, who is active across a wide range of genres from pop to classical.

The piece’s dynamic appeal may stem from the beautiful contrast between the noble resonance of the horns and the delicate melodies woven by the woodwinds.

First recorded in 2000 by the Washington Winds on the album “Rushmore,” it continues to be beloved by many ensembles.

With an emotional arc that feels like a journey through a story, it is sure to become an unforgettable highlight when programmed in a concert that aims to convey vivid scenes to listeners’ hearts.

Carpenters ForeverJ.Raposo/P.Williams/R.Nichols/J.Bettis/R.Carpenter/H.David/B.Bacharach/L.Russell/B.Bramlett/F.Karlin/J.Griffin/R.Wilson

[Yodoko] Carpenters Forever / Carpenters Forever - Osaka Prefectural Yodogawa Technical High School Wind Ensemble (2018)

A medley that lets you enjoy the Carpenters’ timeless hits in a brilliantly crafted arrangement unique to wind band.

In this work, arranger Toshio Mashima masterfully weaves together songs by renowned creators such as Burt Bacharach and Paul Williams into a single, story-like arc.

From a grand fanfare that evokes hope for the future, to warmly resonant melodies that gently seep into the heart, and on to a climax brimming with joy, the progression grips listeners and never lets go.

This arrangement was produced in June 2015 as part of Yamaha’s sheet music series for wind band.

Blending the sparkle of pop with the power of wind ensemble, its sound adds radiant color to any concert and offers a perfect showcase for bold, stylish performance.

Prelude for a Mythical Legend, 2006 Required Piece (I)Horiuchi Toshio

2006 Set Piece (I): Prelude for a Fictitious Legend

A piece whose powerful, dramatic sound stirs the listener’s heart, as if heralding the beginning of a grand tale.

It is a work by Toshio Horiuchi, who teaches in Hiroshima Prefecture and has composed numerous band pieces.

From the delicate interplay of sounds in the quiet sections to the breathtaking build toward a climax where the full ensemble charges forward as one, the piece offers a deeply immersive experience—like living through the prologue of a legend in music.

Composed in 2006 as a set piece for the All Japan Band Competition, it is featured in the album “Reference Performances of Set Pieces for the All Japan Band Competition 2005‑2008.” Demanding not only individual technique but the expressive power of the entire band, this masterpiece is one you’ll want to perform when you and your ensemble wish to weave a single, sweeping story together.

CopacabanaBarry Manilow

Copacabana

“Copacabana,” also famous as a concert band piece and a cheer song for high school baseball, is a very cheerful tune with bright Latin rhythms, but the original story is actually a tragic love tale.

Composed and performed by American singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, it was released in 1978, became a huge hit, and won multiple Grammy Awards.

The song was also adapted into a TV musical based on the original.

Its disco sound, marked by lively percussion, has become an enduring standard that continues to be loved today.

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TequilaChuck Rio

Wind Ensemble Concert: Tequila

It’s a Latin number by the American rock ’n’ roll band The Champs that was released in 1958 and became a big hit.

It’s a bright song with a lively, fun Latin melody, a rhythmic bass, and striking percussion.

The “Tequila!” shout in the song is fun, and it gets everyone excited—from beginners just starting an instrument to the people listening.

“Tequila” is famous as a Mexican spirit, but it originally was the name of the small town where its distilleries were located.

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mana

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