Wind Band Literature takes a close look at the best of the wind band repertoire, from chamber music to huge symphonic works, from beginning band to professional level. It is not a comprehensive repertoire site, but rather a collection of resources compiled and created by conductor Andy Pease. These are tools to share with students and colleagues to help enhance understanding of what makes the music we play so powerful and meaningful to us.
Featured content for Fall 2024:
My two main groups will have a lot on their dockets, including two concerts and an Honor Band at Hartwick and a big fall concert with the CVWE, and this time both groups will premiere my music! The details are below:
Hartwick College Wind Ensemble
On November 9, I will lead the Oneonta Community Concert Band in our annual Veteran’s Day Concert. Repertoire coming soon!
I will also appear with the NYSSMA Zone 8 Area All State band in Walton, NY on November 23. They will play:
Some treasures are heavy with human tears – John Mackey
Shepherd’s Hey – Percy Grainger
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Why does classical music need conductors, but other music styles do not? Is it possible to have a classical concert without a conductor at all?
Great question – the short answer is that classical music often uses large numbers of people, sometimes over 100 in a single performance. Ensembles that large (and even much smaller groups) need a single leader both to stay together and to develop a common vision of the music, hence the conductor. As for classical music without conductors, I would refer you to any small chamber group (e.g., brass quintet or woodwind quintet), as well as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, a larger group which famously never uses a conductor.
Conducting asked, it is possible to have a classical concert without a conductor. The answer is “Yes”. It just means that the musicians count well and listen to each other well. They will need someone in rehearsal but can work without one in performance.
I’m really glad to have read your list of forthcoming concerts and the literature with composers and arrangers. As a Euphonium (primary) and Trombone (secondary) player, I am always striving to learn new music as well as listen to Symphonic Bands/Concert Bands/Wind Ensemble/Brass Ensemble with outstanding musicians. Listening to them is inspirational and motivational for always wanting to be a better Player. I presently live in Kenosha, WI and unfortunately, would not be able to attend your concerts. Will they be posted on YouTube or anywhere I can watch, listen, and learn?
Outstanding presentation at IGEB 2018!!!
Great job Andy. This is a fantastic resource for wind band conductors. Congratulations.
Dear Andy,
Your site is wonderful. Hoping I’m still a member. If not, tell me what I need to do to renew my membership.
I’m writing now to correct the spelling of my name under Performances (of Sousa’s Foshay Tower Washington Memorial March). Here’s how it is listed:
California State University, Sacramento, Wind Ensemble (Robert Hespeth, conductor) – 9 April 2016
I prefer my name spelled Robert Halseth. Thanks.
BTW, my father, Alden Halseth, graduated from Crookston High School in 1929, couldn’t find work in northern Minnesota, so took a bus to Minneapolis where he worked on the brass fittings of the windows for the soon-to-be dedicated Foshay Tower building. Every time I play this piece, I dedicate it to him.
Bob