Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

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

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

Precious thingssakushi sakkyoku: Yamazaki Tomoko

[Chorus] Important Things (Mixed Three-Part)

Precious thingssakushi sakkyoku: Yamazaki Tomoko

This choral piece expresses, through a heartfelt melody and lyrics, the value of friendship and the realization of important things we tend to overlook in everyday life.

Interweaving past memories with the self living in the present, it gently sings of the beauty of time spent together and the bonds between people.

Released in 2006 by Kyoiku Geijutsu Sha, it was also featured as an insert song in the film “School-Live!” and included in junior high school music textbooks.

Widely cherished at graduation ceremonies, choir competitions, and cultural festivals, it is a perfect song for deepening the bonds with the companions you sing with.

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Mela!Ryokushokushakai

"Mela!" (Ryokuoushoku Shakai) Osaka University Mixed Chorus Freund Chor 64th Regular Concert (2021)

Mela!Ryokushokushakai

“Mela!” is a powerful track by the four-member co-ed band Ryokuoushoku Shakai (Green Yellow Society).

In July 2022, it became the band’s first song to surpass 200 million streams.

Given how explosively its popularity spread, many people have probably heard it at least once.

Choosing such a well-known song for a choir piece should make it easier for everyone to practice.

Also, the recurring “la-la-la” sections throughout the song are ideal for creating harmonies and arranging mixed male-female vocals.

Be sure to come up with a one-of-a-kind, wonderful arrangement!

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The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster 'The World Is Smiling at You' Short Ver.

The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster is a girl vocal group overwhelmingly supported by teen girls.

Speaking of their signature songs, it has to be “Sekai wa Anata ni Waraikaketeiru,” which was also used in a Coca-Cola commercial.

Since most of the song is carried by vocals alone, it’s an a cappella piece that’s perfect for choral performance.

Its beautiful harmonies are the main charm, so make sure to practice thoroughly and check your pitch.

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Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster

[Little Glee Monster] Youth Photograph [Litoguri]

Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster

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.

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As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE

EME-C3138 Again and Again / DREAMS COME TRUE [Mixed Chorus, 3 Parts]

As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE

An inspiring anthem by DREAMS COME TRUE that celebrates the strength to rise again and again.

Released in February 2005 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Emergency Room 24 Hours (Season 3),” the track reached No.

3 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

With its warm melody that empathizes with those striving to overcome setbacks and its grand arrangement, the song leaves a lasting impression.

It is also included on the album “THE LOVE ROCKS” and is beloved across generations.

A heartwarming piece that gently teaches the importance of believing in yourself and continuing to move forward when faced with difficulties—perfect for a choral performance at a school festival or as a closing number for a class presentation.

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Bridge of Gloryyuzu

YELL — choral version

Bridge of Gloryyuzu

This is the song that was chosen as the theme for the Athens Olympics on NHK.

Watching the athletes giving their all to the sound of Yuzu’s Eiko no Hashi (Bridge of Glory), some people may have been moved to tears.

A ballad that stirs the heart like this will surely shine in a choral arrangement as well.

In the soaring parts of the chorus, you can devise your own way to build excitement.

Going through this process and singing together with men and women combining their strengths will surely deepen the friendship among the members.

The chorus you work hard to create will surely come back as a fond memory, even as the years go by.

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[Choral Songs] Recommended for school culture festivals! Classic choir pieces & the latest popular songs (21–30)

ultramarineYOASOBI

This is “Gunjō,” which was scheduled to be performed at the 2021 Chorus Festival. Okayama Joto High School Choir♪

ultramarineYOASOBI

For those who want to come together as a class or club to liven up the school festival, “Gunjou” is highly recommended.

The music duo YOASOBI, hugely popular among Gen Z, released it in 2020, and it has been featured widely in the media, including as the CM song for Bourbon’s “Alfort Mini Chocolate.” Its classical melody unfolding over a rhythmic tempo is truly moving.

It’s a perfect message song for students experiencing their “youth.” Why not try singing a song with a dramatic progression, such as the big final chorus that invites everyone to join in?

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