#28 Suggested Repertoire from Around the World for Developing Bands

This 28th installment of suggested repertoire is proposed by WASBE’s President Miguel Etchegoncelay.

It presents five remarkable works rooted in programmatic music and deeply inspired by folk and popular traditions. Brilliantly composed, each piece showcases a vivid and colorful approach to orchestration, offering ensembles a rich palette of expressive possibilities. These works not only captivate with their stylistic diversity and classical foundations, but also serve as valuable pedagogical tools—helping bands grow in their interpretation of varied musical styles while deepening their understanding of orchestral color and narrative expression.

Grade 3

La Follia nel Bosco (2013) – 6’ – Purchase at Ito Music/Brain

Yasuhide Ito (Japan, 1960)

Premiered on 04 August 2014

“La folia (Portuguese) or la follia (Italian), bearing the literal meaning of "madness" or "insanity", is also a very fast dance in triple time, which supposedly originated in the Iberian Peninsula. By the 17th century, it has taken on a calmer character, eventually taking form as a variation based on a specific basso ostinato (obstinate bass).

Various composers have produced works based upon la folia. Composers such as A. Corelli (Sonata, Op. 5-12), F. Liszt (Rhapsodie espagnole), and S. Rachmaninov (Variations on a theme by Corelli).

In March 2013, I wrote La Follia, Concertino for Band, upon receiving a commission from Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. This concertino is of a high level of difficulty in terms of technique, as it is intended for a professional wind band. By using the same elements in the original piece, I wrote a more compact version, La Follia nel Bosco in December the same year, commissioned by the wind band of Kaishin Daisan Junior High School in Nerima ward, Tokyo. The members of the band, who based their idea from the impression they held for the piece, created the Italian title, meaning ‘little woods’. Mr. Lorenzo Della Fonte kindly assisted in translating the title into Italian.

Although the piece was written for a junior high school band, it comprises of rich musical elements, which could prove useful to the players’ development. Naturally though, this piece might offer interesting challenges even to experienced players.

It is in free variation form with no fixed harmonic progression, and most rehearsal marks are assigned to each variation.

As it is a work for small bands, it is most ideal to have each part performed by only a single player, apart from the clarinet section, which should be performed by 2 persons for each part. The number of wind players should add up to 24 in total. Furthermore, though not indicated on the score, an oboe and/or a bassoon may also be included.

On another note, it can also be performed without the 3rd clarinet, 3rd horn or 3rd trumpet, which would result in a minimum ensemble of only 18 wind players. Also, quite a number of percussion instruments are to be used. However though, if the passages in parentheses are omitted, it can be effectively performed with only six percussionists. And, with a little creativity, the number of percussionists may be further reduced.

Much attention has been paid in the orchestration of this piece, so as to produce a wide range of tone colors. Finally, by studying the full score thoroughly, the interaction between the various instruments can be understood even better.”

Program Notes by Yasuhide Ito

Follia nel Bosco is scored for standard concert band, with optional Oboe and Bassoon, it has 3 Horn parts and 2 trombone parts. The percussion parts can be adapted to a certain point according to the band’s possibilities.

More on Yasuhide Ito - https://www.yasuhideito.com

Grade 3.5

A Midwestern Suite (2020) – 8’ – Purchase at Tom Davoren Music

Tom Davoren (United Kingdom, 1986)

Premiered by University of Kansas Wind Ensemble conducted by Paul W. Popiel on Nov 20, 2020 at Lawrence, Kansas, USA

A Midwestern Suite was commissioned in 2020 by a consortium of 16 universities and high schools from the Midwestern states of the USA and provinces of Canada. In three separate movements, Prairie, Storm and Sunset, the suite seeks to represent in music aspects of the Midwest noted for their respective grandeur and beauty. The thematic material of each movement is based on the classic western folk song Home on the Range, and a number of popular midwestern tunes are hidden through the work in an incidental manner.

Program Notes by Tom Davoren

A Midwestern Suite was awarded the National Band Association Merrill Jones Composition Prize in 2020.

A Midwestern Suite is scored for concert band, with optional Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, 2nd Horn, and String Bass, it includes 5 percussion parts.

More on Tom Davoren - https://www.tomdavorenmusic.com

Grade 3.5

Landscapes (2024) – 10’ – Purchase at Symphonic Dimensions Publishing

Georges Sadeler (Luxembourg, 1988)

“Landscapes” is a work in three movements by composer Georges Sadeler that captures the sound of different landscapes and their unique atmospheres. The first movement, “Ancient Castle,” transports us to the early Middle Ages, where an imposing castle towers majestically over the landscape. Sadeler brings the grandeur and fortitude of the ancient walls to life—from the dark, heavy sounds of the fortifications to heroic fanfares that tell of past battles. In the second movement, “Magic Forest,” we enter an enchanted world created by Mother Earth. A river winds its way through a valley surrounded by monumental rock faces, dark gorges, and lush, mystical nature. With gentle, flowing melodies and mysterious harmonies, Sadeler invites listeners to immerse themselves in the magic of the forest. The third movement, “Old Train Station,” takes us to an old train station from the early 20th century. Today, this place is lively and cheerful, but Sadeler's music takes us on a journey through time: the rhythmic pounding of the steam locomotive, the hustle and bustle on the platform, and the longing for distant travels merge into a sonic snapshot of a bygone era. With “Landscapes,” Georges Sadeler creates a musical panorama that impressively combines history, nature, and human development—a journey through three fascinating worlds that can only be experienced through sound.

Program Notes by Publisher

Landscapes is scored for standard wind band setting.

More on Georges Sadeler - https://www.georges-sadeler.com

Grade 3.5

Lonesome Valley Folk Suite (2022) – 19’ – Purchase at James Stephenson Music

James Stephenson (USA, 1969)

Lonesome Valley Folk Suite was written in 2022. It is structured in six short movements with a total duration of around 19 minutes.

1. The Silver Dagger ("The Woeful Warning")

2. Raccoon and Possum

3. Down in the Valley

4. Tom Sherburner's Bar Room

The Murdered Wife (McFee's Confession)

6. The Gum-Tree Canoe

It is scored for standard wind band with the addition of double bassoon, optional bass saxophone as well as six percussion parts.

“I was approached by my friend Tim Hendrix (Bentonville High School band), with whom I had worked before, to consider writing the first work for the newly formed Arkansas Consortium Project. The group consisted of many esteemed university and high school bands, all located in the state of Arkansas.

Tim asked if I might visit the same thought-process as Percy Aldridge Grainger had for his iconic Lincolnshire Posy; in other words, to seek out American folk songs (not necessarily Arkansas-based) and create my own take on the material.

It was the sort of project I had wanted to do for a long time, so I immediately said yes, and let the idea simmer for a while.

The first thing I knew was that I would use the same instrumentation as Grainger. Therefore, with the exception of alto clarinet (which I omitted), and bass saxophone (which is optional), and some added percussion to modernize and "Americanize", the ensemble on stage is essentially the same as that of Posy.

When I started my search, I was immediately overwhelmed by the plethora of folk songs, many specifically from Arkansas. Luckily, the songs I found were already categorized into some groups that I found inspiring musically; those being:

Death, Animals, Love, Cowboy, Murder, and Water.

Following Mr. Grainger's lead, I listened to the now-70-year-old recordings, and in most cases, tried to imitate, or allude to, the intonations of the singer, and/or to the text being sung. This led to many fun orchestrations which I otherwise might not have considered and was a really interesting process to undertake.

I added a few "text cues" in the score/parts, so that the performers might be aware of the folk song's meaning at that particular point. And in the case of The Silver Dagger, I even endeavored a clandestine transposition down a half-step at nearly the same point at which the singer starts going flat.

The last movement -- The Gum-Tree Canoe -- exhibits the furthest wandering from the source material. I felt the suite needed an exciting ending, and I thusly used the "chorus" material from the folk song to create odd-metered bright and jazzy material. Many snippets of the other five songs find their way back into the finale, with The Murdered Wife getting the most use as solid backdrop material to undertone the bright punctuations on top.

Lastly, in an effort to distance myself from the Grainger, I used decidedly "American" harmonies much of the time, hopefully giving the piece the true American feel it deserves, with homage paid toward the many individuals who kept these tales alive over the years through the art of vocal storytelling.

Notes by James Stephenson

More on James Stephenson - https://composerjim.com

Grade 5

Epiphany - Variations on a Ticinese Folk Song "I tre re" (1979) – 12’

Purchase at Molenaar Editions

Henk Badings (The Netherlands 1907-1987)

Premiered by Harmonieorkest St. Michaël Thorn conducted by Walter Boeykens on Sept 25, 1981 at Uster, Switzerland.

“Epiphany” is a composition by Dutch composer Henk Badings.

Badings was an influential figure in 20th-century classical music, known for his innovative approach to composition and use of electronic music. The piece is known for its rich harmonies and complex rhythms, characteristic of his style.

Epiphany written in 1979, commissioned by the Festliche Musiktage (Forum für zeitgenössische Blasmusik) in Uster, Switzerland. The work was premiered two years later by the Harmonieorkest St. Michaël Thorn conducted by Walter Boeykens.

The music is dedicated to Jean Claessens.

“I tre re” is a traditional folk song from Ticino, a region of Switzerland. The song is an important part of local folklore and reflect the rich cultural history of Ticino.

Epiphany was chosen as compulsory piece in the 2nd division of the WMC Kerkrade 2025. A new set of parts and score has been newly edited specially for this occasion.

Epiphany is scored for standard wind band setting.