#44 Suggested Repertoire from Around the World for Developing Bands
This 44th installment of suggested repertoire is proposed by Rom Shamir, he became Chief Conductor of the Israel Defense Forces Orchestra at the age of 23, making him one of the youngest conductors in Israel to lead a major musical body. He studied orchestral conducting at Tel Aviv University’s Buchmann-Mehta School of Music under Maestro Yi-An Xu. A passionate educator, he is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians while honoring Israel’s musical traditions. He serves as Music Director of the Israel National Youth Wind Orchestra, is a board member of WASBE, and chairs the WASBE Youth Wind Orchestra (WYWO). Additionally, he participates in international festivals and masterclasses, and frequently adjudicates musical competitions.
Grade 4
Fantasie on Yemenite Traditional Song (1992) – 5' – Purchase at Israel Music Institute
Shimon Cohen (Israel, 1937)
Shimon Cohen, one of Israel's most prominent composers and orchestrators, based this fantasy on "Dror Yikra," a widely recognized traditional Yemenite-Jewish melody. Since it is sung in countless Israeli homes every week during the day of rest, the tune is deeply ingrained in the local culture. You can listen to the original version here:
Grade 5
Light of Anemones (2024) – 14' – Purchase at JC Link Music
Boris Pigovat (Ukraine, 1953)
Premiered by Israel National Youth Orchestra conducted by Rom Shamir
on Aug 22, 2024 in Jerusalem
Fantasy on Themes of Israeli Songs, inspired by the songs of the famous Israeli-Yemenite singer Shoshana Damari: "Hayu Leilot" (There Were Nights), "Shuvi Bat Yerushalayim" (Return, Daughter of Jerusalem), "Kalaniyot" (Anemones), and "Or" (Light).
Commissioned by the Israel National Youth Wind Orchestra to mark the 100th anniversary of Damari's birth.
More on Boris Pigovat
Grade 4
TAH-NGO! (2026) – 5' – Purchase at Israel Music Institute
Yonatan Keret (Israel, 1990)
Premiered by Israel National Youth Orchestra conducted by Rom Shamir
on Jul 15, 2026 in Jerusalem
This piece was written in 2026 during the war as a collaboration between composer Yonatan Keret and conductor Rom Shamir, who have a history of creating music together. Regarding the piece, the composer notes, "All I wanted was to write fun music."
Grade 3
The Match of Hope (1996) – 4' – Published by Molenaar Edition
Nachman Yariv (Argentina, 1943)
When it comes to educational Israeli music for wind bands, Nachman Yariv is a central figure. He is one of the founding fathers of music education and wind orchestras in Israel. Born in Argentina in 1943, he immigrated to Israel and has been deeply involved in local music education ever since. Many Israeli musicians grew up playing his arrangements and original works, though only a few are published and available for international purchase.
One example is "The Match of Hope": The title refers to the very last match that a little girl, who lost all of her family in the Warsaw Ghetto, is trying to sell. This piece is dedicated to the children of that Ghetto and the entire Holocaust, and is based on the Yiddish song Papirosn.
Grade 4
Fanfare to Israel (1950) – 5' – Purchase at Israel Music Institute
Paul Ben-Haim (Germany, 1897-1984)
"Fanfare to Israel" is a short piece written by Israeli composer Paul Ben-Haim in 1950. It was originally written for the Israel Defense Forces Orchestra at the request of its conductor, and was soon after arranged for a full symphony orchestra. Because it is a short piece perfect for opening festive national events, it has been performed widely and was the first of Ben-Haim's works to be recorded by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. The piece is built on a long, repeating melodic theme that steadily grows in volume and tension until it reaches an exciting climax. The theme is written in duple meter with a symmetrical rhythmic structure, inspired by German Romantic music.
Grade 3
Shalom Aleichem (2001) – 3' – Purchase at Israel Composers' League
Boris Pigovat (Ukraine, 1953)
Premiered by Israel National Youth Orchestra conducted by Rom Shamir
on Jul 15, 2026 in Jerusalem
Boris Pigovat's "Shalom Aleichem" is an orchestral arrangement of an ancient Jewish hymn traditionally sung on Friday evenings to welcome the day of rest.
Richly scored for wind orchestra, the arrangement beautifully highlights the ensemble's diverse and lyrical colors.
