Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Sports Day BGM] A selection of classic tunes that liven up the venue

Representative, Elysion Philharmonic Orchestrasai-kisaragi
Heisei College of Music, Composition Course. Studied composition and conducting under Keizo Ideta, piano under Chinami Kira, and arts management under Takuma Konishi. With a focus on community and music, I work to revitalize my hometown of Saga Prefecture. While performing as a double bassist with wind ensembles and orchestras across Kyushu, I participated on double bass in the “Orchestra Without Borders” orchestra camp of the professional game and anime music ensemble Eminence Orchestra, held in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture in September 2012. During CAPCOM’s Kyushu Tour in 2016, I not only performed as an orchestra member but also served on the production staff. I currently serve as the managing representative for the game and anime performance groups Elysion Philharmonic Orchestra (Saga Prefecture) and Fukuoka Game Music Wind Orchestra (Fukuoka Prefecture), and handle conducting, arranging, and public relations.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Many famous classical pieces are used as background music at sports days, but there are probably quite a few tunes that you can hum the melody to even if you don’t know the title.

In this article, we’ll introduce a curated selection of recommended classical pieces for anyone looking for music to play at a sports day event.

From that song that makes you want to start running to the perfect march for a parade, we’ve covered all the classics—use this as a reference.

Try listening while imagining which scene each piece would suit.

Sports Day BGM: A Selection of Classic Standard Pieces to Energize the Venue (41–50)

Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

[Yuri Simonov] W. A. Mozart: Turkish March (Rondò alla turca) / Orchestral arrangement

Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Isn’t this one of those Mozart melodies that everyone has heard at least once? The percussion parts—like bass drum, triangle, and cymbals—are fun, and the trumpet is used extensively throughout the piece.

It’s a masterpiece that even influenced marching bands.

As a march, it’s perfect for school sports days! Its light, brilliant, and cheerful mood makes it ideal for entrance and exit music.

Not only children but also the audience will enjoy it, and it seems perfect for a lively, light-footed procession.

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Under the banner of the double-headed eagleFranz Wagner

Under the Banner of the Double-Headed Eagle / J.F. Wagner

Under the banner of the double-headed eagleFranz Wagner

This is a piece by the Austrian composer Wagner, featuring a bright, rhythmic character right from the start.

It is said to have been composed when Wagner served as a bandmaster during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the “double-headed eagle” in the title is also a symbol of that empire.

In Japan, it is often used as a march at school sports days.

The music naturally sets a light step, so why not choose it as BGM for entrances and exits?

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Overturesugiyama kouichi

Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest I Overture - BRASS EXCEED TOKYO

Overturesugiyama kouichi

Known as one of Koichi Sugiyama’s signature works, this piece is characterized by its grand orchestral sound.

The anecdote that he completed it in just five minutes speaks volumes about his musical talent.

It was composed for the game Dragon Quest, released in 1986.

Although it is video game music, it has become so widely beloved that it is performed in concert halls as well.

If you use it as background music for a group gymnastics performance, it will undoubtedly liven up the venue with a bright and refreshing atmosphere! Its dramatic elements also make it a perfect match for the highlights of the routine.

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In conclusion

Classical music blends into many aspects of life, offering healing, calm, and at times uplifting moods.

There are, of course, plenty of pieces that are perfect for sports days, and this time we’ve selected classic masterpieces that will liven up the event.

For races, choose high-tempo pieces; for cavalry battles or tug-of-war, intense music; for entrances and exits, steady-tempo marches; and for the flag-raising, something grand—adding contrast to each scene is recommended! Use the pieces introduced here as a guide to select the perfect music for every moment.