[Choral Songs] Recommended for cultural and school festivals! Classic choir pieces & the latest popular songs

Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster

[Little Glee Monster] Youth Photograph [Litoguri]

A heartwarming youth pop song that wraps the bittersweet feelings of graduation season in a bright expression! Sparked by the moment of taking a photo, it portrays the importance of friendship and the excitement for the future, while also expressing the brave facade of masking loneliness with a smile.

Released by Little Glee Monster in March 2015, this work is one of the group’s signature songs that leads into the albums “Colorful Monster” and “Joyful Monster.” Its gentle lyrics, which weave together the value of friendship in a cheerful student life and the desire to preserve memories of life’s milestones, make it perfect for chorus performances at school festivals and graduation ceremonies.

fight!YUI

“Fight” by YUI, sung with a Geidai-graduate vocalist / #chorus #choruscontest #entranceexams

This song, the required piece for the Junior High School Division of the 79th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition in 2012, was written specifically for the competition by singer-songwriter YUI, who enjoys broad support, especially among teenagers.

It is a life-affirming anthem that encourages people to keep trying and live positively no matter what happens.

By singing this song, both we and those who listen to it may feel encouraged and become more positive.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Time Travelersakushi: Fukada Junko / sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shorou

Time Traveler (with lyrics)

It’s a three-part mixed chorus piece released in 1990.

It’s a staple for junior high and high school choir competitions.

The song features frequent key changes, and unlike typical choral works, the part that sings the main melody changes with each modulation.

The beauty of the main melody is the key element.

14-fourteen-Sakushi Sakkyoku: Yugeda Kensuke

[Featured in textbooks from 2025] Junior High School 2nd-year chorus piece “14–fourteen–” for the Coming-of-Age Pledge Ceremony and grade-level chorus

This choral piece is filled with kindness that closely attends to the feelings of junior high school students.

It carefully depicts the anxieties, hopes, and growth of students turning 14 at the height of adolescence.

Along with its warm, heartfelt melody, the work carries a message that resonates with junior high schoolers.

It was included in 2020 in Education Art Co.’s music textbook for fourth-grade elementary students and has earned high praise in educational settings.

Ideal for moments when you want to sing as one—such as choir competitions and graduation ceremonies—this piece is perfect for deepening class bonds.

A Gift of a Summer DaySakushi: Takagi Akiko / Sakkyoku: Kaga Kiyotaka

A Summer Day's Gift Gloria Mixed Choir

It’s a choral piece composed in 1989.

There are versions for mixed two-part chorus and for three-part female chorus.

It has appeared in middle school music textbooks, and it’s often sung at middle school choir competitions.

It’s a lovely piece that conjures up beautiful summer scenery.

Riding a hot-air balloon, anywhere and everywhereSakushi: Azuma Tatsuo / Sakkyoku: Hirayoshi Takeyasu

Riding a Hot-Air Balloon, Anywhere We Go [Tokyo Mixed Chorus]

This dreamlike song would surely bring the house down if performed at a culture festival or school festival.

Its charming worldview—traveling across the sky in a hot-air balloon—tickles children’s imaginations with delightful lyrics.

Ever since it was selected as a required piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition in 1974, it has been loved for many years and can truly be called a timeless classic passed down through generations.

It was also used as the ending theme for the anime Nichijou, etching it even more deeply into people’s hearts.

Because it can be sung in various choral formats—such as two-part equal voices and three-part mixed chorus—it’s perfect for school events.

It’s an ideal piece for music classes and choir competitions, where children can let their voices ring out.

It’s a work I hope will be sung energetically, with handclaps to add to the fun.

Positive Taro ~A Beginning Anytime~tsunku

"Positive Taro ~A Beginning Anytime~" (composed by Maki Ueda) / A-un

This song, which also made news because Tsunku wrote the lyrics, was the set piece for the high school division of the 2018 NHK School Choir Competition (N-Con).

From the title alone you might expect something playful, but the lyrics, written in plain, accessible language, carry a very positive message.

By choosing familiar words, the song communicates clearly, making it a perfect choice to perform at a culture festival where many people attend.

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Hane Keisuke

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