Commissioned by the "School Band Project" of the 19th 'Kyo-En'Executive Committee, recognizing its stated goal of providing valuable repertoire for school bands. Since the size of bands in Japan has been consistently decreasing, this was a great opportunity to offer a medium grade work for smaller bands. I also felt the importance of providing students with an enjoyable and understandable piece of music. The players can enjoy listening to how the motif develops within the musical structure. "Serenade" usually means a multiple movement work; however, my intention was not this. I wanted students to connect to the music as a result of experiencing its resonant timbre and its form. Therefore, "Serenade" doesn't represent a musical form. There is a prelude and postlude. I have written this in a very simple form that can be fun for students to analyze.

(Hirokazu Fukushima)