Explore new additions to the NCBF Wind Band Repertoire List for 2026/27
Grade 1
Against All Odds (Matthew R Putnam) Excelcia Music
An exciting work for early band development. Rhythmic and lyrical in equal measure, beginner school, area and county wind bands will really enjoy playing this.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further information:-
https://excelciamusic.com/product/dcb2401-against-all-odds-putnam/
Shadow Play (Carol Britten Chambers) Aspenwood
Some interesting sounds that will keep players engaged in this new work for young bands by a composer of quality band music at all levels. The use of whirly tubes and boomwhackers adds to the sonic and visual effect.
This link will take you to a midi generated score and further information:-
https://aspenwoodmusic.com/shadow-play-2/
A performance by Shadow Middle School Honour Winds of Texas at Midwest Clinic 2025 can be found here:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=genSyjTpF6U&list=RDgenSyjTpF6U&start_radio=1
Grade 1.5
Home (Katie O’Hara LaBrie) Randall Standridge Music
A beautiful lyric work that explores the many meanings of the word ‘home’. A wonderful contrast and challenge to the many highly rhythmic works at this level.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further information:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FGNm3VbNDE&list=RD0FGNm3VbNDE&start_radio=1
Machines Of Wrath (Adrian B Sims) adrianbsims.com
You may wish to pair the above work with this highly rhythmic and exciting dissonant minor key work from this versatile composer. Students in young, developing bands will lap up the film music style.
A score and recording of the work can be found here:-
Grade 2
Teeth Of The Mechanism (John Mackey) Osti Music
A work at this level by this highly imaginative composer is well worth a look. With a similar theme to the previous piece the menace is more measured and, because of that, perhaps more threatening! Trombones get an opportunity to use glass in a musical way! A brilliant work!
Recordings and more details can be found here:-
https://www.johnmackey.com/music/teeth-of-the-mechanism/
and a perusal score here:-
https://www.johnmackey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Teeth-of-the-Mechanism-Full-Score-lock.pdf
Grade 2.5
Firebirds (Randall D Standridge) Randall Standridge Music
Yet another winner from this excellent composer who seems t instinctively know what students like playing and audiences enjoy listening to. Inspired by Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird’, it’s a great opportunity to link this with works of an established ‘great composer’.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further information:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QD56a4Gv80&list=RD9QD56a4Gv80&start_radio=1
Rizz (JaRod Hall) Alfred Publications
A highly entertaining funk chart with tons of attitude! I think this is more suited to bands at this level but will also appeal to bands at Grade 3 looking for lighter, entertaining material without losing quality.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further information:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSf9PfJGEqo&list=RDtSf9PfJGEqo&start_radio=1
Grade 3
A Mere Moment (Michele Fernandez) Hal Leonard
A concert Bolero incorporating elements of both Latin and Middle Eastern cultures. A wonderful medium paced piece for your programmes from this master of Latin American music.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further information:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgSKn2EL_LE&list=RDYgSKn2EL_LE&start_radio=1
Blue Night (James Stephenson) Murphy Music Press
Chicago composer Jim Stephenson has long been known within American musical circles as a fine composer for orchestras and wind bands. Here he provides a wonderfully reflective piece written, originally for Chamber Orchestra, dedicated to one of his neighbours. It was first performed, in the wind band version, at the Midwest Conference in Chicago in December 2025.
You’re looking for a change of pace in your programme that presents a musical challenge? This is the piece for you!
This link will take you to a perusal score and recording:-
https://murphymusicpress.com/products/w-1,584a
Prelude On ‘Lavenham’ (Geoffrey Nobes) Trade Winds
Also of a reflective nature is ‘Prelude on ‘Lavenham’'. Written for the 130th anniversary, in 2014, of Lavenham Salvation Army Corps in Suffolk and first performed at their anniversary concert in the village's beautiful Parish Church by Kettering Citadel Band, it’s an arrangement of a tune the composer wrote to the words, 'Lord, there are times', a lovely hymn by the Reverend Nick Fawcett. The arrangement is dedicated to the memory of Bandmaster Derek Wilding of Lavenham Corps.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further information:-
https://www.studio-music.co.uk/rs00101-geoffrey-nobes-concert-band-prelude-on-lavenham
Grade 3.5
Dona Nobis Pacem (Michael Daugherty) Hal Leonard
Yet another reflective piece, this time by Grammy award-winning composer Michael Daugherty. It is a musical prayer for peace and harmony in the world, integrating the 17th-century folksong traditionally associated with Dona Nobis Pacem with the composer’s original music. Terrific music at an accessible level.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further information:-
https://www.halleonard.com/product/4009746/dona-nobis-pacem
Silk Town (Henry Rankin) basbwe.net
Commissioned by the KEMS Macclesfield Wind Band in 2025 this piece, depicting the town’s historical silk industry, was the winner in the 2025 BASBWE Composition Competition.
This link will take you to a recording and further information:-
https://reift.ch/en/shop.html?code=EMR%2092182
Sunset At The Perch (Rob Wiffin) Shout Music
From the versatile pen of Rob Wiffin, this beautiful score paints a musical portrait of the Perch café sitting isolated on the beach as the sunset approaches at Lancing. Another piece for that change of pace in your programme.
This link will take you to a perusal score, recording and further information:-
https://www.studio-music.co.uk/sh0115-rob-wiffin-concert-band-sunset-at-the-perch
Tango De Buenos Aires (Keiron Anderson) Superbrass
Get your audience dancing (or at Least tapping along!) to this bright tango from the pen of British composer, Keiron Anderson. It was written to celebrate the music of Astor Piazzola. Attractive and a sure audience pleaser.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further information:-
https://www.superbrass.co.uk/product/tango-de-buenos-aires-1pnix
Grade 4
Gravity (Julie Giroux) Giroux Music
A thoughtful work composed to celebrate the life of a committed musician. If you like the crunchy harmonies of Eric Whitacre’s slower vocal music then you will love this piece. Coupled with Julie Giroux’s cinematic instincts it will, in common with some of the other pieces listed, bring a more serene moment to your programme. Skilfully crafted from her own personal experience, you will not be disappointed with ‘Gravity’.
The first link will take you to a recording link and further details, the second to a perusal score.
https://www.girouxmusic.com/products/gravity?_pos=1&_sid=d3f510a4e&_ss=r&_fid=eae842f87
Three Ring Circus! (Adrian B Sims) Murphy Music Press
Experience the chaos of a circus with this inventive composition. Composed in traditional march form (but not a march!), unexpected twists and turns ensure there’s nothing traditional about it. Everyone has a chance to be in the spotlight! Put this at the end of your programme and you will have the audience on their feet!!
This link will take you to a perusal score and recording:-
Grade 4.5
December Dance (Andrew Boysen Jnr.) Kjos
Sometimes it is good to introduce into our Repertoire Lists quality music that may have escaped notice over the years. Crisp, icy rhythms and shimmering sonorities abound in this and shimmering sonorities abound in this exciting piece from Andrew Boysen, Jr., originally published in 2008. Two distinct themes bounce around the ensemble and combine at the end of the work for an uplifting climax that will have everyone dancing in the aisles!
The first link will take you to a recording and further details, the second to a perusal score.
https://kjos.com/december-dance.html
https://media.kjos.com/kjos/global.mt.lldns.net/kjos/pdf/WB390F_Score_NonPrint.pdf
While talking about the music of Andrew Boysen Jnr. one of the most moving pieces I have programmed from him is ‘I Am’, which is currently on our Repertoire List at Grade 3.5. When coupled with a reading of the poem on which it is based it can have a highly emotional effect.
All That Glistens (Rob Wiffen) Cane River Music
This attractive concert piece was written during the time of the Paris Olympics in the summer of 2024. There is no direct thematic link between the two but the spirit of the occasion has undoubtedly seeped into the vivacity of the music with its fanfare-like opening and closing sections. All that Glistens was premiered by Birmingham Symphonic Winds in December 2024.
This link will take you to a perusal score and a recording:-
https://www.canerivermusic.com/product-page/all-that-glistens-rob-wiffin
Armada (Martin Ellerby) Cane River Music
Armada was written as a gift to Mark Heron and the RNCM Wind Orchestra. However this piece has nothing to do with the historic Spanish one. It’s purely derived from the title Armada and the rhythm of that enterprise. An opportunity for any band to show off their technique and flamboyance!
The first link will take you to further details and a perusal score, the second to a recording.
https://www.canerivermusic.com/product-page/armada-martin-ellerby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aupk1j_3qx0&list=RDAupk1j_3qx0&start_radio=1
Fiesta (Keiron Anderson) Superbrass
Dedicated to David Oldershaw and Margaret Oldershaw MBE on the 30th anniversary of Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra. The title says it all!!
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further details:-
https://www.superbrass.co.uk/product/fiesta
For Whom The Bell Tolls (Philip Sparke) Anglo Music
With a title taken from the famous poem by John Donne (1572-1631), which reminds us that the death of anyone affects us all, this piece was commissioned by the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra, which gave its first performance in Dublin in December 2024. Written in Philips colourful, broad scoring style it’s another composition to fill that need for a contrasting work in your programme.
This link will take you to scrolling score extracts and further details:-
https://www.wind-band-music.co.uk/sheet-music/for-whom-the-bell-tolls-philip-sparke-dehaske
Four Scottish Dances (Malcolm Arnold arr John Paynter) Carl Fischer
Another re-introduction into the Repertoire List is this masterful arrangement, by John Paynter, of this classic Malcolm Arnold suite. With plenty to do for all sections it reminds us of the music of Scotland with humour and musical brilliance.
This link will take you to a further details and links to recordings of each movement:-
https://www.carlfischer.com/j711-four-scottish-dances.html
Sinfonietta No. 2 - A Sign Of The Times (Rob Wiffen) Shout Music
Composed in 2025, this is a wonderful follow-up to the composer’s ‘Sinfonietta’ of 20 years earlier! A highly rhythmic ‘Foment’ is followed, in a much more thoughtful vein, by ‘A Dream Of Peace’, before returning to the energy of ‘Call To Arms’. Plenty for the performers to get their teeth into both technically and musically!
This link will take you to further details, a perusal score and midi recording:-
https://www.studio-music.co.uk/sh0114-rob-wiffin-concert-band-sinfonietta-no-2-a-sign-of-the-times
The King’s Conjurer (Keiron Anderson) Maecenas
This is Keiron with his serious music hat on! A musical portrayal of conjurer Louis Comte (1788-1859) with plenty of twists and turns and a sense of mischief all thrown into the mix. An excellent opener or closer.
This link will take you to further details, a perusal score and midi recording:-
Grade 5
A Midnight Dance …. through the Poison Garden (Ryan George) Murphy Music Press
Adjacent to Alnwick Castle in Northumberland is a vast complex of formal gardens. Amidst these sits a smaller one, only accessible through a black gate with a warning sign on it - “THESE PLANTS CAN KILL”. Visitors are warned not to touch, taste or smell these plants, or else!
This highly original piece imagines someone dancing their way through this toxic environment in the light of a full moon!
This link will take you to further details, a perusal score and midi recording:-
https://murphymusicpress.com/products/w-1,565a
American Prelude (Johan de Meij) Amstel/De Haske
Commissioned by the United States Marine Band “The President’s Own”, the always interesting Johan de Meij produces a short, energetic work featuring subtle hints to two of his favourite American composers, Aaron Copland and John Williams.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further details:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-gWMfe8yUk
Give Me The Silent Splendid Sun (Martin Ellerby) Cane River Music
Inspired by the Walt Whitman poem of the same name, this composition follows the two-part structure of the poem, albeit in reverse order - Part One: Pennsylvania - A Rural Rhapsody and Part Two: Manhattan - A Crowded Chorus. Another winner from the creative pen of Martin Ellerby.
The first link will take you to further details and a perusal score, the second to a recording.
https://www.canerivermusic.com/product-page/give-me-the-splendid-silent-sun-martin-ellerby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMf9bGYfZJM&list=RDcMf9bGYfZJM&start_radio=1
Pacific Overture (Philip Sparke) Anglo Music
This effervescent overture has all of Philp’s usual ingredients - majestic fanfares, melodious passages and lively work for all sections of the band. The main theme has a sea shanty like flavour, but turbulent waters and peaceful bays alternate until the opening fanfare returns to conclude the work.
This link will take you to scrolling score extracts and further details:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zCsvkYuS4g&list=RD7zCsvkYuS4g&start_radio=1
The Planetarium (Philip Sparke) Anglo Music
A much longer work by this masterful composer, although it is divided into seven movements played without a break. Here are musical portraits of the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Also featured throughout the work is a brief quotation from the chorale ‘Psalm 150’. The piece takes it s name from the world-famous Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium in the town of Franeker in the Netherlands. Highly attractive music for both performer and listener, with so much contrast of mood and technicality, this could be your full programme at an NCBF event!
This link will take you to scrolling score extracts and further details:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWH4gh63bn4&list=RDsWH4gh63bn4&start_radio=1
Grade 5.5
Festival Variations (Claude T Smith) Claude T Smith Publications/C. L. Barnhouse Co.
Another ‘Golden Oldie’ that we are re-introducing to the Repertoire Lists. Brilliant technical passages coupled with glorious romanticism provide immense rewards for bands who accept the not insignificant musical challenges. Exciting! It will certainly be an audience pleaser!
This link will take you to a scrolling score:-
Grade 6
Declaration (James Stephenson) Murphy Music Press
This is the other end of the scale from the earlier mentioned ‘Blue Night’! Commissioned as the closing piece at the American Bandmasters Association annual conference for a super-band selected from across the nations top service bands (including “The Presidents Own” US Marine Band, the US Army, Air Force and Navy bands) it is a tour-de-force. Declamatory, exciting and reverent in equal measure, the structure is intro, a lilting lighter theme, development, a lyrical intimate theme, jazz-tinged development, return of initial theme, return of the slower theme and outdo harking back to the intro material. Guaranteed to bring the house down as a closing number, this is Jim Stephenson at his best.
This link will take you to a scrolling score and further information:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXw6M3ej2ik&list=RDTXw6M3ej2ik&index=1