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

From Snow White: Whistle While You Work — for introducing musical instrumentsFrank Churchill

Whistle While You Work from Disney’s Snow White — for introducing musical instruments

This piece is an arrangement of popular numbers from Disney’s Snow White, designed to introduce musical instruments.

It highlights the strengths of each instrument used in wind ensembles, and the swiftly shifting styles make the arrangement fun.

At wind ensemble concerts, it’s often performed early on to help audiences get to know the instruments.

In the final section, all the instruments come together in a bright, lively tutti that truly evokes the world of Snow White.

It’s an accessible introductory piece that helps both adults and children become more familiar with wind band music.

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Magellan’s Challenge to the Unknown ContinentTarumiya Masanori

Masanori Taruya / Magellan’s Challenge to the Unknown Continent

A dramatic and cool piece composed by Masanori Taruya with the theme of great adventures in history.

It portrays the grand challenge of an Age of Discovery explorer setting out for unknown continents, powerfully stirring the spirit of adventure that lies dormant in the listener’s heart.

The hopeful departure, the indomitable will to face hardships, and the joy of discovering a new continent are expressed dramatically, letting you savor a complete story.

This work was recorded by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra on the album “WORKS IV -Dream of W.D.O.-,” released in October 2014.

It’s perfect for bands that want to convey a vast worldview in competition and push their own limits! Why not perform as if you were the protagonist of the story?

sea sprayKamioka Yoichi

March “Tide Smoke” Yoichi Kamioka

The somewhat enka-like, traditional Japanese melody sticks in your head once you hear it.

It has a very dramatic feel, like a kayōkyoku (Japanese pop) song.

The melody is catchy and cool, so I think it’s a piece that even beginners can play easily and enjoy.

Layla on the HillHoshide Takashi

[Wind Ensemble] Leila on the Hill

This work features a richly poetic and beautiful melody that evokes the image of a solitary woman standing on a hill, leaving a deep impression on the heart.

Its structure—beginning quietly and gently, then gradually building toward a passionate and grand climax—grips the listener and never lets go.

Composed and arranged by Takashi Hoshide, this original wind band piece was premiered as a commissioned work for the 4th “Wind Ensemble in the 21st Century: Hibiki-En” in 2001.

A performance is also included on the album “Hibiki-En IV: New Works by Japanese Composers.” Designed so that even smaller ensembles can achieve rich harmonies and a sense of scale, it is a true masterpiece—perfect for bands seeking to deliver a dramatic piece brimming with emotion in competitions or concerts.

It is an especially recommended wind band piece for women.

First Suite for Wind EnsembleGustav Holst

First Suite in E-flat for Military Band / Gustav Holst

It consists of three movements, and compared to other pieces it’s a bit long, but it’s very popular because it starts at a slow tempo and gradually gets faster, making it easier to perform.

I think it’s a famous piece that anyone in a wind ensemble has heard.

Rocky ThemeBill Conti

Wind Band Hit: Theme from “Rocky” (Gonna Fly Now)

The 1976 Hollywood film Rocky has long been beloved in Japan as a hugely popular movie.

In particular, its theme song is frequently used as background music on variety shows, so you’ve probably heard it at least once.

In the piece, brass instruments—especially the trumpet—play a powerful role, and the opening fanfare in particular is arranged in a cool way that conveys the fighting spirit of Rocky, played by Sylvester Stallone.

The song is also very popular as a cheer tune for high school baseball.

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Dragon Quest Concert Selectionsugiyama kouichi

Dragon Quest Concert Selection / Koichi Sugiyama

A brass band medley whose fanfare announces the beginning of a grand tale of a hero known as the Player, instantly capturing listeners’ hearts.

Koichi Sugiyama, one of Japan’s leading composers, provided the timeless original melodies, which arranger Toshio Mashima has shaped into a dramatic 9-minute-48-second work.

Reimagined from video game music for the concert hall, this piece is structured to evoke vivid images of a hero journeying across vast lands and confronting formidable foes.

The fact that its source piece, Overture, was used at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics further attests to its musical significance.

With its thrilling, valiant sound, presenting it as the climax of a concert is sure to sweep the audience into a whirlwind of excitement.