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

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!

Playlist

[Choral Songs] Recommended for cultural and school festivals! Classic choir pieces & the latest popular songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	far; distant; by farGReeeeN		GReeeeN's moving ballad song
2	waxing; filling up; becoming full; growing (e.g., the moon growing fuller)Fuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s movie theme song, a beautiful ballad depicting unconditional love
3	Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy		Popular songs by Vaundy, commercial jingles
4	Earth Star SongSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasu		A standard school choir song with lyrics by Mimasu
5	Unchanging Thingssakushi sakkyoku: Yamazaki Tomoko		A choral piece that lyrically portrays graduation and parting
6	hometownarashi		Arashi’s ballad singing gratitude to their hometown
7	Blue BirdSakushi: Yasuoka Yuu / Sakkyoku: Kitayama Youichi		Theme song of a coming-of-age film by The Gospellers
8	Friend ~Time to Depart~yuzu		A moving number that connects hearts even when apart
9	DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE		An empowering anthem for 18-year-olds: cherish your true self
10	CorrectRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS junior high school choral piece
11	About meMrs. GREEN APPLE		Encouraging Ballad by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
12	MiracleGReeeeN		GReeeeN's “Kiseki” is perfect for a choir.
13	BelieveLyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi		An inspiring choral piece featured in a textbook
14	To You — A Message for Your DepartureSakushi Sakkyoku: Tsutsui Masako		A graduation song born from the teacher’s platform
15	ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism		A grand song that likens life to chess
16	RPGSEKAI NO OWARI		An epic tale of bonds with companions and adventure
17	FateOfisharu Higedan Dism		Cheering song by Official HIGE DANDism
18	A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly		Superfly’s classic song that sings of gratitude and love
19	ultramarineSakushi: Minamisōma Shiritsu Ogataka Chūgakkō Heisei Nijūyon Nendo Sotsugyōsei / Oda Miki / Sakkyoku: Nobunaga Takutomi		A moving choral piece that portrays the bonds forged after the earthquake disaster
20	The calling voiceVaundy		An anthem for young people produced by Vaundy
21	A Song You Sing to YourselfSakushi: Elvis Woodstock / Sakkyoku: Oshima Michiru		High School Music Competition Set Piece
22	Time to Depart ~Asian Dream Song~sakushi: dorian suke kawa / sakkyoku: hisaishi jō		An anthem that gives you the courage to step into the future
23	Bird, to the skysakushi: gekidan hitori / sakkyoku: nobunaga takatomi		A choral piece for graduation that likens the students to birds
24	ReplayLyrics: Takumi Kitamura / Composition: Yoshihiko Nishio・DISH//		A message song by DISH// that sings of the preciousness of youth
25	dawnSakushi: Hokkaidō Asahikawa Shōgyō Kōkō Suisōgakubu Heisei 10-nendo Sotsubusei Ichidō / Sakkyoku: Yahata Emi		A choral song of gratitude to clubmates and a vow for the future
26	GiftsLyrics: Shiho Ochi / Music: Shiho Ochi, Koichi Tsutaya		A warm message song that empathizes with the self-denial felt during adolescence
27	horizonback number		back number cheers on high school students
28	Precious thingssakushi sakkyoku: Yamazaki Tomoko		A choral piece that sings about the importance of friendship and connection
29	A Cheer Song Dedicated to YouHIPPY		HIPPY’s cheer song shines in a wide range of situations
30	StoryAI		A classic song celebrating AI’s love and bonds
31	rainbowSuda Masaki		Doraemon theme song, feelings of closeness
32	futureKobukuro		Ballad theme song of the movie Orange
33	Today is your birthday.Sakushi sakkyoku: Wakamatsu Kan		Kansaku Wakamatsu’s Birthday-Themed Choral Piece
34	MoldauSakkyoku: Bedřich Smetana / Henkyoku, Yakushi: Iwakawa Saburō		A choral piece arranged with Japanese lyrics from Smetana’s original composition
35	Oyashirazu Ko ShirazuSakushi: Yamamoto Kazuo / Sakkyoku: Iwakawa Saburou		A mixed chorus piece depicting the tragedy of Oyashirazu
36	proofflumpool		The school music competition’s set piece written by flumpool
37	Mela!Ryokushokushakai		Arrange Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s popular song “Mela!” as a choral piece
38	The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster		Introduction to Little Glee Monster’s signature songs
39	ultramarineYOASOBI		Let’s liven up the school festival with ultramarine
40	spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE		Graduation season and the importance of human connections
41	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		Yuzu’s “Eikou no Kakehashi”: deepening friendship through chorus
42	Everyone is a heroAI		An au that is a Japanese arrangement of Oklahoma Mixer
43	Kitearashi		Lyrics and composition by Kenshi Yonezu; the NHK 2020 song sung by Arashi
44	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		A classic drama theme song suitable for choral performance
45	HEART BEATYOASOBI		YOASOBI’s theme song for 18-year-olds
46	sparkleFuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s “Kirari” is the brilliance of youth.
47	WINDING ROADAyaka × Kobukuro		Let's practice famous songs and perform them at the school festival
48	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		A warm choral song used as a Doraemon movie theme
49	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		The tear-jerking theme song of the Monday 9 p.m. drama
50	Don’t give upZARD		ZARD’s classic songs that cheer you on to do your best
51	presentSEKAI NO OWARI		A youth-themed song written by SEKAI NO OWARI
52	Futabaaimyon		AIMYON’s “Futaba” is a youth anthem that centers on the theme of love.
53	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		AKB48’s morning drama theme song
54	threadNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s “Ito” is recommended for the school festival
55	KanadeSukima Suichi		An inspiring mixed chorus piece with a piano ballad
56	Country RoadHon’na Yoko		An iconic song that cheers on the start of youth’s journey
57	Flowers will bloom.hana wa saku purojekuto		Charity Song in Support of Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake
58	Ballad of the Monstersyangu 101		Choral piece announced by NHK in 1972
59	budKobukuro		Kobukuro’s “Tsubomi” is a staple song for choirs.
60	JupiterHirahara Ayaka		Ayaka Hirahara covers Holst’s “Jupiter”
61	TomorrowLyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi		A song with a positive message
62	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE		EXILE’s 2007 graduation ceremony choral song
63	YELLikimonogakari		A compulsory piece for a junior high school music competition composed by Ikimono-gakari
64	A Little Love SongMONGOL800		A youth song filled with feelings for someone dear
65	Letter ~Dear You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki		A graduation song that depicts letters to the future and the past
66	SMILE ~Like a Clear, Sunlit Sky~Kuwata Keisuke		Theme song for a joint project by commercial broadcasters
67	Beyond the tearsShingu Auto		A choral piece originated from an NHK program
68	rainbow-coloredayaka		The refreshing theme song of an NHK morning drama series
69	Close your eyesHirai Ken		An inspiring choral piece that expresses a sense of loss
70	Please give me wingsakai tori		A classic song by Akai Tori is featured in textbooks
71	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		A signature song by SMAP, famous worldwide.
72	Best FriendNishino Kana		Kana Nishino's female chorus graduation song
73	My BalladSakushi sakkyoku: Matsui Takao		There are three versions of the piece with different instrumentations.
74	Let’s search for tomorrowSakushi: Hori Tohru / Sakkyoku: Osawa Tetsunori		Introduction to catchy choral songs for a school festival
75	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Yo Hitoto’s famous song that sings of peace and love
76	Hymn to the EarthSakushi: Oki Atsuo / Sakkyoku: Sato Makoto		Daichi Sansho is a choral piece composed in 1962 that is sung at graduation ceremonies.
77	The Wheat SongNakajima Miyuki		A choral piece that became the theme song for an NHK morning drama
78	Eyes of the heartSakamoto Kyu		A song by Kyu Sakamoto was arranged for choir.
79	IN TERRA PAX ~Peace on Earth~Sakushi: Tsurumi Masao / Sakkyoku: Ogikubo Kazuaki		A choral piece themed on war and peace
80	Smile AgainMari Nakayama		A choral piece with mature-sounding lyrics
81	Wasted wishesAKB48		A choral song by AKB48, in the style of a Russian folk song
82	Carrying YouInoue Azumi		The powerful theme song of Laputa, a famous masterpiece
83	Ride a hot air balloon to the ends of the earthSakushi: Azuma Tatsuo / Sakkyoku: Hirayoshi Takeyasu		1974 NHK National School Music Competition required piece
84	GiftsSuperfly		Superfly's Encouraging Chorus Song
85	Green Green		A choral piece with a pleasant piano rhythm
86	The Door to TomorrowI WiSH		I WiSH’s “Ashita e no Tobira” is a song about thinking of the precious people close to you.
87	In springsakushi: tanikawa shuntarō / sakkyoku: kinoshita makiko		A popular choral piece based on a poem by Shuntaro Tanikawa
88	I want to become a cherry blossom tree.AKB48		Celebrate graduation with an AKB48 song
89	COSMOSAkuamarin		Aquamarine Space-Themed Choral Piece
90	Because I want to be by your side.Miyazaki Asako		NHK National School Music Competition Required Piece
91	To the futureKiroro		A song of gratitude and hope for my mother, a timeless piece that resonates in the heart
92	skySKY-HI		A choral piece that envelops the anxieties of adolescence
93	Caribbean Dream JourneySakushi: Hirano Yukari / Sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shōji		Adventure Chorus of a Caribbean Boy
94	Goodbye, TearsSakamoto Kyu		A cheerful song about love by Kyu Sakamoto
95	Let me have that wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu		A classic song that hopes for the reunion of The Folk Crusaders
96	paprikaFoorin		Introduction to Paprika, produced by Kenshi Yonezu
97	Wasted wishesAKB48		AKB48’s sorrowful choral song
98	Love’s Form feat. HIDEMISIA		The theme song of “Stepmom and Daughter Blues,” a moving love song
99	Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster		A youth song that sings of the bittersweetness of graduation and friendship
100	fight!YUI		A cheer song by YUI. The courage to live positively.
101	Time Travelersakushi: Fukada Junko / sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shorou		A choral piece with many modulations where the main melody changes
102	14-fourteen-Sakushi Sakkyoku: Yugeda Kensuke		A gentle, moving choral piece that portrays the anxieties and hopes of middle schoolers in adolescence.
103	A Gift of a Summer DaySakushi: Takagi Akiko / Sakkyoku: Kaga Kiyotaka		A beautiful choral piece from 1989
104	Riding a hot-air balloon, anywhere and everywhereSakushi: Azuma Tatsuo / Sakkyoku: Hirayoshi Takeyasu		A delightful classic about traveling the sky by hot-air balloon
105	Positive Taro ~A Beginning Anytime~tsunku		Lyrics by Tsunku, NHK School Choir Contest required piece
106	Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro		Moriyama Naotaro’s famous graduation ceremony song
107	the world of dreamsSakushi: Furo Akiko Sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shouji		Introductory choral piece in 6/8 time
108	Cherry Blossom RainHatsune Miku		A graduation song for the season when cherry blossoms dance
109	I can hear (it)Sakushi: Iwama Yoshiki / Sakkyoku: Niimi Tokuhide		Assigned piece for a school music competition
110	Pegasus Galloping Through the Skysakushi: tate hôrai / sakkyoku: kurosawa yoshinori		A choral piece themed on the constellation Pegasus
111	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		A nostalgic and bittersweet classic in the Okinawan style
112	The Bell of PeaceNakasato Yukihiro		Introducing the peace-themed song “HEIWA no Kane” (“Bell of Peace”)
113	rainbowMoriyama Naotaro		A timeless song that sings of life's joys and sorrows
114	As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE		A song of courage that rises again and again
115	Mysteries of the Seasakushi: Kawasaki Hiroshi / sakkyoku: Hirayoshi Takushu		A beautiful song sung in school choirs
116	AldebaranAI		A choral piece of an NHK morning drama theme song sung by AI
117	U&ISakushi sakkyoku: Wakamatsu Kan		A choral piece with gentle melody and lyrics
118	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		A coming-of-age song that depicts the end of summer
119	JourneyFuji Kaze		A Fujii Kaze song that gently portrays the journey of life
120	C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.ONE OK ROCK		ONE OK ROCK’s songs that sing of youth and the courage to face the future
121	We againSG		A song of hope that overcomes parting and believes in reunion
122	Become a flowerLyrics: Ikuya Sashida ・ jam / Composition: Ikuya Sashida ・ Toshiyuki Mori		A transparent-feeling ballad and a warm piano piece
123	Cheer of StarlightGReeeeN		A heartwarming cheer song that celebrates life and friendship
124	See?Sakushi: Itou Keiji/Sakki: Matsushita Kou		A heartwarming choral piece for disaster reconstruction support
125	Philosophy[Alexandros]		A song for the Coming-of-Age Festival, created together with youths.