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The Holst Suites, Hammersmith, then RVW FSS (the band original is better than the orchestra arrangement), Tocatta Marziale!

How about some Puzsta-Jan van der Roost?

Some different band pieces (and a couple of orchestral transcriptions, the Tam O’Shanter and the Fete Dieu a Seville), I’ve played over the years that are not the standards that I like a lot.

I got to participate in the honor band that world-premiered the first piece I linked to, Samuel Hazo’s “Sevens,” with the composer at rehearsal working with our band on the piece and Col. Lowell Graham conducting the concert. Great weekend.

The Symphonic Dance No. 2, originally written as part of a suite called San Antonio Dances by Clifton Williams, is the lesser known of the two symphonic dances that were transcribed for band. Most people have played the Symphonic Dance No. 3, “Fiesta.“

Since Joe revived this necrothread, I might as well put in my two cents. I believe I’ve played everything mentioned at one time or another, and I like most of it a lot.

I didn’t see the Giannini Variations and Fugue, though. It’s not my favorite compared to some already mentioned, but it should be on the list. Particularly the Fugue. But it needs to be on a program with a war horse—it’s challenging for the performers and the audience.

I mostly enjoy orchestral transcriptions, and my favorites of those were transcribed by Mark Hindsley. I know they are not universally popular, but I love playing them and to my ears they capture the orchestral sound better than any others. I haven’t had one in the stand in years. The Army Field Band recorded Pictures at an Exhibition and that was a stunning performance.

Very obscure, but if you ever get a chance to play Randol Bass’s arrangement of Broughton’s Silverado score, don’t miss it.

But I think the most excited I have ever been after a successful performance was with Rocky Point Holiday. I think that was when I lived in San Antonio.

Rick “a lot of that stuff is out of reach these days” Denney

@Rick Denney

I'm thinking it was bumped by "Wilco".

My new favorite is First Suite in F by Thim Ritter George
I’m also partial to the American in Paris arrangement by J Krance (I think)

A lot of great ones already mentioned

Some other wind band pieces I really like:

Schuman -- Chester Overture
Stamp -- Gavorkna Fanfare
Makris -- Aegean Festival Overture
Woolfenden -- Illyrian Dances
Adler -- Southwestern Sketches
Holst -- Moorside March

How about Mannin Veen?

I remember playing it years ago in NYC, and halfway through the first rehearsal, during a rest or something, the Euphonium player next to me (a friend that I've lost touch with, and an incredible player) leaned over, and said "this [shirt] sounds like Mannin Veen", to which I replied, "dude, this [shirt] _IS_ Mannin Veen." Which wasn't intended to be funny, but it made him laugh, which made me laugh, which made the (un-fun and too-serious) conductor tell us to "cmon, pay attention back there"

Hindemith’s Konzertmusik

Ewazen’s Hymn for the Lost and Living

Carter Pann’s My Brother’s Brain

"Variations and Fugue" by V. Giannini

This thread brings back so many memories. Thank you.

Russian Christmas Music - Alfred Reed
Armenian Dances Part II - Alfred Reed
Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann - Robert Jager
Flag of Stars - Gordon Jacob
God of our Fathers - Claud T. Smith

These have zero flaws or faults, in my opinion, and are actually great music, rather than one of the multitudinous "teaching pieces" that pack the band literature. (I did not list Armenian Dances Part I because I have never played it, though I have heard it many times.)

Russian Christmas Music is the perfect band composition, IMHO. So is the Jager. So is the Jacob. So is the Smith. I feel that I have been a fortunate musician in that I have played many of the orchestral greats and some of the best of band music.

I have also played a ton of garbage. In the end, it's all music… but some pieces are more rewarding than others.

My opinion varies over time, as does my memory. I have commented on this very question in the past, and if you dig up one of those old posts, you may find variations in this list, but the core of it has remained the same across my five decades of playing the tuba at literally all levels.

Suite of Old American Dances, The Universal Judgement, Lincolnshire Posy, Florintiner March.

edfirth wrote: Sun Apr 19, 2026 10:33 am Suite of Old American Dances, The Universal Judgement, Lincolnshire Posy, Florintiner March.

Those are all great ones.

I think Marches should be their own category though!

the elephant wrote: Sun Apr 19, 2026 10:19 am Russian Christmas Music - Alfred Reed
Armenian Dances Part II - Alfred Reed
Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann - Robert Jager
Flag of Stars - Gordon Jacob
God of our Fathers - Claud T. Smith

These have zero flaws or faults, in my opinion, and are actually great music, rather than one of the multitudinous "teaching pieces" that pack the band literature. (I did not list Armenian Dances Part I because I have never played it, though I have heard it many times.)

Russian Christmas Music is the perfect band composition, IMHO.

I've played both of the Armenian Dances a few times. My lasting impression is to play one or the other, but not both. For lack of a better word, there's some overlap.

Russian Christmas Music CAN be amazing. Or, it can be a "band song" that a bad HS band can choke their way through. It's not often that I hear it played to its full potential.

Did Russian Christmas with the brass band ( Arr Dave Leppla) this past holiday season. It was definitely challenging but we put a really good (In my opinion at least) version together. Definitely the highest 2nd baritone part I've played.. lots of exposed long lyrical phrases above the staff.

My son's HS band director tried the concert band arrangement with the top ensemble a few years ago. Played through it once or twice in September and decided it would be too much of a hill to climb to get it presentable by December and shelved it.

ok...What type of "wind band"...??

https://www.facebook.com/reel/991778896 ... __tn__=H-R

Some of my more enjoyable pieces have been; Rise of the Firebird, American Flourish, and Abracadabra. Of course Holst’s suites in F and Eb are always amongst the top favorites…..

Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo by Arnold
Third Suite by Jager

Sousa: The Gliding Girl


I never played in a band that could do it justice, but I think it's great.

Praeludium and Allegro - Vittorio Giannini