Lovely childcare

Ensemble Performances by Older Kindergarteners Heat Up! A Collection of Recommended Song Ideas for Recitals

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

There are likely many ensemble pieces performed at senior kindergarteners’ recitals and graduation ceremonies.

Playing in an ensemble with all the children together not only creates fun memories but also provides an important opportunity to foster the joy of making music together and to develop expressive skills.

Here, we introduce recommended ensemble pieces that senior kindergarten children can enjoy performing.

We’ve gathered popular selections among nursery and kindergarten teachers, spanning a wide range of genres from pop to classical.

Enjoy performing together as a team and make lasting memories.

Ensemble Performances by Senior Kindergarteners Heat Up! A Collection of Recommended Pieces for Recitals (31–40)

Friendship HymnSakushi: Sakata Hiroo / Sakkyoku: Amerika Min’yō

Friendship Hymn

Friendship HymnSakushi: Sakata Hiroo / Sakkyoku: Amerika Min'yō

This is a bright, energetic song with the theme of the importance of friendship.

Set to the melody of an American folk tune with Japanese lyrics, it’s characterized by a lively rhythm and approachable words.

It spread from the 1970s to the 1980s and has been beloved as part of school education and choir repertoires.

It’s perfect for entrance ceremonies to ease the nerves of new students.

If everyone holds hands, forms a circle, and sings while dancing, smiles are sure to appear naturally.

I think it’s a wonderful song that creates a warm atmosphere to celebrate meeting new friends.

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stroll

My Neighbor Totoro ~Stroll~ [Original Choreography] Sports Day Dance / Recital Dance for Nursery Schools and Kindergartens

stroll

Sampo, the opening theme of Studio Ghibli’s film My Neighbor Totoro released in 1988, is a hugely popular song among children of every generation.

Its bright rhythm that makes you want to start walking, along with lyrics that seem to capture the joys kids discover on a stroll, make singing it feel like going on an adventure! The song is also popular as a dance tune, so it’s fun to come up with choreography that matches the words and try dancing to it.

Perfect as BGM or for dances at school sports days!

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Anpanman’s March

Anpanman’s March 🌥️ [Original Choreography] Perfect for use in kindergartens and nursery schools!

Anpanman's March

When it comes to characters beloved by infants and toddlers, Anpanman is at the top of the list! Many children probably know the song Anpanman no March, which became the opening theme for the anime “Soreike! Anpanman.” The lyrics conjure up the image of the kind and strong Anpanman, and you can just imagine kids striking poses as if they were Anpanman themselves.

While it’s common to enjoy dancing with original choreography, trying your hand at playing it on an instrument is also highly recommended!

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My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi

♪ Keyboard harmonica “My Neighbor Totoro” ... 5-year-olds (Lion Class)

My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi

Azumi Inoue’s theme songs from Studio Ghibli films are beloved by children and are perfect for the melodica.

Let’s play them while recalling scenes from the movies, carried by their gentle melodies.

It’s also fun to express elements from the lyrics—like rain, the moon, and the ocarina—together with the children through sound.

The slow tempo makes it easy for everyone to play in sync.

If you perform at a recital, the parents are sure to be pleased.

It can also spark children’s imaginations about nature and mysterious creatures.

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Frog ChorusSakushi: Okamoto Toshiaki / Sakkyoku: Doitsu kyoku

FY2023 Music Concert (1): Senior Class Pianica

Frog ChorusSakushi: Okamoto Toshiaki / Sakkyoku: Doitsu kyoku

The defining feature of “Kaeru no Gasshō” (Frog Chorus) is, above all, its canon style, where the same melody is sung in a round.

Layering the melody with many voices makes it a delight for listeners as well.

The main theme is a familiar tune you may have heard or sung somewhere.

Based on a 19th-century German children’s song, “Kaeru no Gasshō” is very simple and easy to perform, so it works at a slow tempo or an upbeat one.

Even small children in kindergarten can enjoy practicing and performing it.

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Ensemble performances by the oldest kindergarteners heat up! A collection of recommended song ideas for recitals (41–50)

[Ensemble] 100% Courage

FY2023 Recital: Sorakujira Team Ensemble “100% Courage” #Hatsukaichi Kujira Nursery School #4-year-olds #5-year-olds #Ensemble

[Ensemble] 100% Courage

How about using “Yuuki 100%” for the recital ensemble? This song is one of the pieces often performed at daycare centers and kindergartens, and it’s very familiar to children.

It’s also appealing that, with the teacher playing the main piano part, the piece can be performed using only percussion for the rest.

It’s an uplifting song that gives you energy when you listen to it, so practice should be enjoyable, too.

Try having fun with the arrangement—sing while playing, or switch instruments partway through.

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Santa Claus is coming

FY 2017 Minami Nursery School Life Presentation, Sumire Class, Handbells (Santa Claus Is Coming to Town)

Santa Claus is coming

There is a classic winter song, filled with Santa Claus’s kindness and joy, that is beloved by children.

Born in October 1934, this piece has captured the hearts of children around the world.

Its melody is easy for kids to become familiar with, and the rhythm is pleasant, heightening their sense of excitement.

When combined with the pure tones of handbells, it creates an even more Christmas-like atmosphere.

Featured in films such as “Santa Claus,” it has become an indispensable song for the Christmas season.

As children perform it together with their friends, they can also cultivate the joy of cooperation through music.

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