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A Must-See for Middle and High Schoolers! Recommended Free-Choice Songs for Choir Competitions Catalog

The choir competitions held at schools every year.

Many junior and senior high school students look forward to working together as one class, don’t they? Still, the big headache is choosing the repertoire.

It’s often said that, especially in choir competitions, the choice of the free piece can greatly affect the results.

That’s why there are many points to consider, such as “a piece that won’t overlap with other classes” or “a song that’s topical yet can be polished to a high level.” In this article, we’ll introduce recommended pieces for junior and senior high school choirs.

We’ve picked not only the classics but also rarer choices for choir, like Western pop and Vocaloid songs, so you can find the perfect piece for your class.

[Choral Songs] Recommended for Junior High Students! A Collection of Moving Choral Works & Choral Arrangements (11–20)

Peace on EarthSakushi: Tsurumi Masao / Sakkyoku: Ogikubo Kazuaki

IN TERRA PAX Peace on Earth (from the mixed chorus suite “IN TERRA PAX Peace on Earth”)
Peace on EarthSakushi: Tsurumi Masao / Sakkyoku: Ogikubo Kazuaki

A choral piece imbued with prayers for peace.

Its beautiful melody, quietly poised yet brimming with strength, and its rich harmonies fill the hall with emotion when sung with care, as if conveying heartfelt wishes.

As symbolized by the title, which means “Peace on Earth” in Latin, the work carries a universal message hoping for a world free of war and conflict.

Performed by choirs in various regions since the late 1990s and featured at peace memorial events and music festivals, it is a perfect piece for intermediate to advanced choral singers.

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Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya / Haru yo, Koi (Women’s chorus Coro CARINE by students of Osaka College of Music)
Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi

A timeless masterpiece by Yumi Matsutoya that gently embraces nostalgic memories and bittersweet farewells.

The lyrics, woven with feelings for someone dear, resonate deeply with listeners.

Released in October 1994 and used as the theme song for an NHK morning drama series, this piece is also highly popular as a choral work and cherished by many women’s choirs.

It’s perfect for choral performances at school events such as graduation ceremonies.

Clear voices and beautiful harmonies will fill the venue with a warm atmosphere.

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footprint(s)Little Glee Monster

N-Con 2020 'Footprints' Little Glee Monster / Mixed Chorus (3 parts) / Full (All) - with full lyrics - For part practice Covered by Singer micah
footprint(s)Little Glee Monster

A song that deeply empathizes with junior high school students, this work was crafted with great care as the members wrote the lyrics while recalling their own middle school experiences.

Its gentle melody embraces the worries, anxieties, and hopes of the younger generation, resonating in the heart.

Released in September 2020 as Little Glee Monster’s 16th single and also included in their best-of album GRADATI∞N, the song was chosen as the set piece for the junior high school division of the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition in 2020 and 2021, and was also broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta.

It’s an excellent choice not only for performing as a choral piece but also for enjoying the joy of singing together with friends and peers.

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[Choral Piece] Recommended for High School Students! From Classics to the Newest J (1–10)

threadNakajima Miyuki

A gem of a masterpiece by Miyuki Nakajima that beautifully depicts encounters and bonds between people.

The lyrics liken the chance and fated meetings in life to “threads,” deeply moving listeners’ hearts.

Released in October 1992 as a track on the album EAST ASIA, it was later selected as the theme song for a TBS drama in 1998.

Bank Band’s 2004 cover brought the song to a wider audience.

In 2020, it was adapted into a film starring Masaki Suda and Nana Komatsu.

It is also a work that can weave a splendid harmony in women’s chorus.

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AldebaranAI

[Female Three-Part Choir] Aldebaran / ensemble LEMON
AldebaranAI

A grand piece that symbolizes cosmic expanses and hope.

Released in November 2021, it drew attention as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series Come Come Everybody, and it was also performed at the 72nd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in December of the same year.

It was included on the album DREAM, released in February 2022, and has captivated the hearts of many.

Carried by a warm melody, let its gentle vocals convey the precious feelings that sleep in your heart.

Sing with sincerity, and there’s no doubt it will unite everyone in the group as one.

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In conclusion

From among many songs, we carefully selected the ones we truly recommend.

Have you found a piece you’d like to sing with your class? If you choose your free-choice piece from the recommended choral songs we introduced, you can’t go wrong with your selection! Also, the pop songs featured in this article are ones frequently sung in choirs, so they strike a balance between offering a “slightly different vibe from standard choral pieces” and being easy to sing.

We hope this helps your class succeed in your choral competition.