We have an outstanding junior high honor band where I teach. We just finished with UIL and we're looking for pieces that are fun, but also gives the kids a good challenge and prepare them for high school next year.
Something I've considered are the two "16th Empire" pieces by Standridge since it exposes them to reading 16th notes in a passage. I would like to find something that is fun but introduces 16th notes so they get used to it for our current 8th grade students. Any recommendations for good music to play in spring that fits this criteria?
Maybe just tootin' my own horn here but, Look at "In The Forest of the Happy Trees" by Leon Steward. You can find it at JW Pepper. It might be what you're looking for.