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Concert band

A concert band, also called a wind band, wind ensemble, wind symphony, wind orchestra, symphonic band, the symphonic winds, or symphonic wind ensemble,[1] is a performing ensemble consisting of members of the woodwind, brass, and percussion families of instruments,[2] and occasionally including the harp, double bass, or bass guitar. On rare occasions, additional, non-traditional instruments may be added to such ensembles such as piano, synthesizer, or electric guitar.[3]

Concert band music generally includes original wind compositions, concert marches, transcriptions of orchestral arrangements, light music, and popular music. Though the concert band does have similar instrumentation to the marching band, a marching band's main purpose is to perform while marching. In contrast, a concert band strictly performs as a stationary ensemble.

led by Jerry Junkin

Dallas Wind Symphony

led for many years by Frederick Fennell, and currently conducted by Takeshi Ooi

Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra

Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra

created by royal decree in 1836 by King Kamehameha III

Royal Hawaiian Band

Wind-band research[edit]

Research on wind-band topics began in earnest in 1964 through the Journal of Band Research,[19] affiliated with the American Bandmasters Association.


During the early 21st century, organizations that promote band research began publishing more research on wind band-related topics: Germany-based IGEB (founded 1974),[20] the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE, founded 1983),[21] and US-based organizations Historic Brass Society (founded 1988),[22] National Band Association (NBA, founded 1960),[23] and College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA, founded 1941).[24]


Internationally notable wind-band researchers include Vincent Dubois on French bands, Paul Niemisto on Finnish bands, Frederick Harris on wind-band conductors, Jill M. Sullivan on US women's bands, Frank Battisti on US bands, David Hebert on Japanese and Polynesian bands, Patrick M. Jones on US military bands, and David Whitwell on European bands and repertoire.

American Bandmasters Association

British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles

All Japan Band Association

Association of Concert Bands

Lesbian and Gay Band Association

National Band Council of Australia

Some notable band associations include:

Ottoman military band

United States military bands

Community-Music—a resource for community band musicians and conductors

The Concert Band Portal

Directory of American Community Concert Bands and Wind Ensembles

Directory of Canadian Community Concert Bands and Wind Ensembles

by David G. Hebert (Dordrecht and New York: Springer, 2012).

Wind Bands and Cultural Identity in Japanese Schools