[Wind Ensemble] Recommended Western pop songs for concerts: timeless classics from every era
At concert band performances, unlike competitions, many groups choose to play pop music, don’t they?
Among them, Western pop songs pair well with a brass sound, and there are many popular tunes that have been performed for years.
Still, some of you might be thinking, “When it comes time to actually pick a piece, it’s hard to decide…”
So in this article, we’re carefully selecting and introducing Western pop songs we’d love to hear performed by wind ensembles, in order of recommendation!
Be sure to listen together, discuss your options, choose a piece, and put on a wonderful performance.
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[Wind Ensemble] Recommended Western pop songs for concerts: timeless classics from all eras (1–10)
Music of the BeatlesThe Beatles
The Beatles thrilled young people around the world from the 1960s into the 1970s.
Their songs are still loved and performed by people of all ages today.
Among the Beatles’ numbers, “Music of the Beatles,” which brings together their bright and poppy tunes, is a classic that lifts listeners’ spirits.
Wind bands have a wide variety of timbres, making it easy to create different images for each piece, so a medley performance would really shine, wouldn’t it?
Can’t take my eyes off youBoys Town Gang
Famous for the cover by Boys Town Gang, this song charms with its sweet lyrics that express the feelings of someone in love.
Released in 1982, this version is characterized by an energetic rhythm and catchy melody that set the dance floor on fire.
It became a huge hit, topping the charts in several European countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium.
In wind band concerts, it pairs perfectly with a dazzling brass sound.
It’s sure to be a piece that both audience and performers can enjoy together.
Shake It OffTaylor Swift
A song released in 2014 by the hugely popular female singer Taylor Swift, especially among junior high and high school students.
In Japan, it spread to households through a commercial featuring a large group dancing to the music.
Her catchy, upbeat songs are also frequently performed by wind bands.
[Wind Ensemble] Recommended Western Pop Songs for Concerts: Timeless Classics from All Eras (11–20)
Top of The WorldCarpenters
The brother-and-sister duo the Carpenters took the world by storm in the 1970s and are still famous today.
Their songs are often sung in Japan because they feature singable, catchy melodies and use relatively simple English words that even children can understand.
This song is also included in the wind band piece “Carpenters Forever,” a collection of the Carpenters’ classic hits.
Born This WayLady Gaga
One of the signature songs by the hugely popular pop singer Lady Gaga, released in 2011.
It’s a bright, techno-driven track, and a wind band arrangement is also available; it’s often performed on pops concert stages, with players dancing as they play.
Dancing QueenABBA
When it comes to the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA, this song is surely their signature hit.
Since its release in August 1976, it’s been filling dance floors around the world.
Celebrating youth, freedom, and the joy of dancing, the song also carries a touch of the bittersweet fleetingness of adolescence.
Featured in the film “Mamma Mia!,” it’s beloved across generations.
At a wind ensemble concert, why not fire up the venue with this piece, which pairs perfectly with a bold brass sound? It’s a truly magical song that both listeners and performers can enjoy together.
Go WestVillage People
Village People are known for singing “Y.M.C.A.,” the original song behind Hideki Saijo’s signature hit “Young Man.” One of Village People’s representative songs is “Go West,” which is also famous as a soccer chant.
Besides concerts, this piece seems perfect for cheering on school sports teams, so why not try performing it with style? Since it’s an American song, the key is to avoid a straight up-and-down feel and instead focus strongly on the backbeat and sixteenth-note groove.
It’s also recommended to clap your hands or tap your feet along while listening to the track to get the feel of the rhythm.