Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

Perfect picks for a school festival karaoke contest! A curated selection of timeless songs to showcase your vocal skills.

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 as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
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.

Among all the events at a school festival, the karaoke contest might be the one that gets everyone most excited.

Since we rarely get the chance to sing in front of a big crowd, it’s the perfect opportunity for those confident in their vocals to show off their singing skills.

In this article, we’ve put together a selection of songs that are perfect for performing at school festivals and campus karaoke competitions.

From high-difficulty picks recommended for powerhouse singers to crowd-pleasing hits guaranteed to hype up the venue, we’ve chosen a wide range.

Please select based on your vocal range, personality, and the image of the event.

We hope your stage becomes a wonderful, unforgettable memory.

Recommended for school festival karaoke contests! Carefully selected classic songs that let you show off your vocal skills (41–50)

Starry NightYuka

Yuka – Starry Night (Official Music Video)

Starry NightYuka

It was released for streaming in February 2023 and chosen as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “A Night When Stars Fall.” It’s included on the album “Brighter” and was produced by Toru from ONE OK ROCK.

The song expresses the longing to be reunited with someone precious.

With Yuka’s clear, transparent vocals, it conveys a bittersweet love.

You can almost picture running barefoot under a starry sky.

If you sing it at a karaoke contest, try to be mindful of Yuka’s delicate vocal work and sing it with heartfelt emotion.

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Recommended for school festival karaoke contests! Carefully selected classic songs to showcase your vocal skills (51–60)

Zankyo SankaAimer

Aimer「Zankyosanka」MUSIC VIDEO（Demon Slayer:Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc Theme Song）

Zankyo SankaAimer

Singer-songwriter Aimer, known for her distinctive vocal timbre, has garnered widespread popularity.

Her falsetto has a strangely addictive quality, doesn’t it? Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is Zankyo Sanka.

Used as the theme song for the smash-hit anime Demon Slayer, it’s crafted as a sharp, punchy pop track.

Because it makes frequent use of falsetto, it requires a fair bit of vocal skill.

If you can pull it off, it’ll really hype up a school festival—so definitely give it a try.

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Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Racing into the Night” Official Music Video

Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI is a unit loved by a wide range of people, from adults to children.

They helped spark the current boom in electronic pop music in Japan and have continued to thrive into 2023.

Their song Yoru ni Kakeru is one of their signature works.

It features a poppy, cute vibe while also conveying a sense of wistfulness through its melody and lyrics, and it became a mega-hit in Japan.

Of course, it’s also a song that will get everyone excited at a school culture festival, so be sure to check it out.

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Mela!Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Mela!' Music Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Mela!

Mela!Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai is a four-member co-ed pop-rock band.

They’ve been active since the mid-2010s, but their surge in popularity since the 2020s has been remarkable, so many of you may already know them.

Among their songs, the one I especially recommend for a school festival karaoke contest is “Mela!” It features the bright, upbeat melodies they excel at, making it a perfect fit for a school festival where getting the crowd hyped is key.

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contrailMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Vapor Trail (Yumi Arai The Concert with Old Friends)

contrailMatsutōya Yumi

It’s a song with a moving vocal performance and deep emotion.

Composed by Yumi Matsutoya, it was also chosen as the theme song for the Studio Ghibli film The Wind Rises.

It delicately expresses feelings for lives lost and the value of continuing to pursue one’s dreams.

The purity of childhood and a longing for freedom are sung over a beautiful melody, leaving a profound impression on listeners.

I believe it’s a masterpiece that truly showcases vocal ability, so please sing it with heartfelt emotion.

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In conclusion

I introduced some recommended songs for the school festival karaoke contest.

There were plenty of challenging songs for skilled singers, as well as popular crowd-pleasers! Especially the songs that require solid technique—if you can pull them off, the crowd will definitely go wild.

Be sure to practice a lot and show off your performance on the festival stage!