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

Don’t give upZARD

Sing, Nippon – Don’t Give Up (Piano Accompaniment, Mixed Chorus in 4 Parts) (Arr. by Akane Nakanishi), Old Edition

Released in 1993 as ZARD’s sixth single, this classic is still sung as a cheer song in many situations today.

The fresh three-part mixed chorus harmonies give listeners courage and energy, inspiring a “Let’s do our best!” feeling.

presentSEKAI NO OWARI

[Choral Song] Present / Mixed Chorus in Three Parts [With Lyrics]

This song was specially written by SEKAI NO OWARI as the set piece for the Junior High School division of the 82nd NHK Nationwide School Music Competition in 2015.

The lyrics were penned by member Saori, expressing feelings from youth such as the difficulty of being honest with oneself.

Since it can be challenging to accompany this kind of band song with just a single piano, it might be fun at a school festival to go all in with a band accompaniment or add percussion and drums.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Futabaaimyon

Futaba

If you’re looking for a cheer song for all students spending their youthful school days, “Futaba” is perfect.

Released in 2022 by Aimyon, a singer-songwriter who soothes listeners’ hearts with songs themed around “love,” it was performed together with current high school students on NHK’s “Aimyon 18 Festival.” The track features a warm band sound reminiscent of folk and pop.

Its heartfelt lyrics, evoking school life, are sure to resonate.

Try singing this genre-transcending favorite with your classmates or club members.

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mutō

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365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48

Paper Airplane of 365 Days / AKB48

It’s an AKB48 song from 2015, written as the theme for the NHK morning drama series “Asa ga Kita.” This was the first time AKB48 provided a theme song for a morning drama, with Sayaka Yamamoto singing lead vocals.

The song overlays the image of a paper airplane gliding smoothly by catching the wind with the protagonist’s way of life, giving it an unadorned, simple, and appealing feel.

Since it’s widely known and musically straightforward—not too difficult—it’s recommended for school festival season, when there are time constraints due to various preparations.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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threadNakajima Miyuki

Thread – Miyuki Nakajima (Full)

At a school festival that draws visitors from a wide range of age groups, you’ll want to choose songs that are popular with everyone, regardless of age or gender.

For those looking for such a song, I recommend Miyuki Nakajima’s “Ito.” As one of Japan’s most iconic singers, Miyuki Nakajima is beloved across generations.

The song itself is also very well-known, making it a perfect choice for a choral performance at a school festival.

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Saitō Ayumu

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KanadeSukima Suichi

Sukima Switch - Kanade (奏) - March 13, 2011

This is a piano ballad that moves people with story-like lyrics and a gentle tone.

The mixed three-part chorus further heightens the song’s development and rising emotions.

The chorus, filled with tenderness and poignancy, envelops listeners’ hearts and has the power to move them.

It’s a piece I highly recommend you try.

Country RoadHon’na Yoko

[Choral Version] Country Road

Known as the theme song of Whisper of the Heart, this piece is filled with a warmth that gently embraces the listener.

Its lyrics carefully weave the feelings of a young person setting off from their hometown to walk their own path in life, resonating with each listener’s own journey and offering a gentle push forward.

Released in June 1995, the song initially struggled to gain traction, but went on to become a long-running hit.

It was re-released in 2000 and 2004, and has since become recognized, in both name and reality, as an enduring classic.

It is also popular as a choral piece, making it a perfect choice for milestone events like graduation ceremonies and school festivals, where people set out into new worlds.