Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

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

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.

Choral performances by the choir club and whole-school or class-wide chorus numbers are staple events at cultural and school festivals.

“You want to pick popular, classic songs to get everyone hyped!”—but many of you may be struggling to find a track that really clicks.

So in this article, we’ll introduce perfect songs for cultural and school festival performances, from timeless choral standards to J-pop arranged for chorus.

Consider the performance setting and the overall vibe of the event, and choose the best song!

[Choral Songs] Recommended for school cultural festivals! Classic choral pieces & the latest popular songs (1–10)

ultramarineSakushi: Minamisōma Shiritsu Ogataka Chūgakkō Heisei Nijūyon Nendo Sotsugyōsei / Oda Miki / Sakkyoku: Nobunaga Takutomi

Gunjou [Mixed Chorus, Four-Part Version]

ultramarineSakushi: Minamisōma Shiritsu Ogataka Chūgakkō Heisei Nijūyon Nendo Sotsugyōsei / Oda Miki / Sakkyoku: Nobunaga Takutomi

Watch “ultramarineSakushi: Minamisōma Municipal Ogataka Junior High School Heisei 24th Year Graduates / Miki Oda / Composer: Takutomi Nobunaga” on YouTube

A moving choral piece that unites the hearts of students separated by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

This gem was created by the 2012–2013 graduating class of Odaka Junior High School in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, together with composer Takafumi Nobunaga.

The work powerfully yet poignantly gives voice to the feelings of students who were forced to live in evacuation.

In August 2013, a CD and score were released by Panamusica, and in August 2014 it was featured on Nippon TV’s “24-Hour Television,” where an inspiring joint performance by Kanjani Eight and the students was showcased.

Centered on themes of recovery from the disaster and the bonds that connect us, this song expresses hope for the future and is perfect for choral performances at school and cultural festivals.

It’s an ideal piece for bringing hearts together across classes and grades, sharing precious feelings through song.

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BelieveLyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi

[Choral Song] Believe — Tokyo Tama Boys and Girls Choir

Believe Composer/Lyricist: Sugimoto Ryūichi

Many of you probably encountered this song in music classes in elementary, junior high, or high school.

It’s a quintessential choral piece that’s even included in textbooks.

Its gentle, message-rich lyrics are part of its appeal, and it has surely given many people a push forward.

Along with its beautiful harmonies, it’s a moving song that feels familiar to every generation and is truly rewarding to sing.

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Murakami Shinpei

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ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism

N-Con 90 Required Piece “Chessboard” (Junior High School Division) | Kobe City Mixed Chorus

ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism

A grand song by Official HIGE DANDism that likens the broad canvas of life to a chessboard.

Created as the set piece for the NHK National School Music Competition’s junior high division, the work pairs gentle piano tones with lyrics that warmly portray how we keep searching for our roles amid the interwoven happiness and sorrow—like a checkerboard pattern.

Released as a digital single in August 2023, it was also featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” For choral performances at school festivals, we recommend singing in a way that layers each person’s feelings while making the most of the harmony between the piano accompaniment and strings.

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[Choral Songs] Perfect for Culture Festivals and School Festivals! Classic Choir Pieces & the Latest Popular Songs (11–20)

TomorrowLyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi

Choral piece: Tomorrow

Tomorrow Composition/Lyrics: Sugimoto Ryuichi

It was released in 1992 as the ending theme for NHK’s “Living Things: Earth Travelogue.” It has been arranged by several composers for use as educational music material.

The upbeat lyrics, which carry the message “Let’s believe in tomorrow and do our best,” make it a wonderful song.

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Ballad of the Monstersyangu 101

“Ballad of the Kaiju” Sumida Children’s Choir

Ballad of the Monstersyangu 101

This song was introduced in 1972 on NHK’s music variety program “Stage 101.” It has become widely beloved, especially in choral competitions at elementary, junior high, and high schools.

It’s a fast-tempo choral piece that builds excitement with the spirited shout of “Yah!” near the end.

It’s also well known for having a challenging piano accompaniment.

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horizonback number

[Chorus] “Horizon” by back number (Mixed 2-Part) by Manamaru × Choir Clubs of Four Junior High Schools in Kasukabe City ‘Moving’

horizonback number

Horizont was written for high school students aiming for the 2020 All Japan High School Athletic Meet.

Created by the rock band back number, known for their popular love-themed songs, this piece features a somewhat nostalgic and warm melody that strikes a chord.

It’s an inspiring message song that cheers on high school students working hard in their clubs and studies.

Why not try singing this beloved band’s song—hugely supported by teens—in a choral arrangement?

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A Little Love SongMONGOL800

A Little Love Song (Junior & Youth Chorus “Raw-Ore”)

A Little Love SongMONGOL800

A youthful punk song by MONGOL800 that sings of honest feelings for someone you love and the small joys of everyday life.

Its gentle melody, filled with thoughts for someone special, and heartwarming lyrics that vow eternal love resonate deeply with listeners through choral performance.

Included on the album “MESSAGE,” it achieved an extraordinary 2.8 million copies sold for an indie release.

It was also used as the ending theme for the TV anime “Teasing Master Takagi-san,” and in 2019 it was released as a film motif work.

Perfect for strengthening bonds with loved ones—whether in choral performances at school festivals and graduation ceremonies, or at weddings and farewell parties.

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