[Touching] Entrance/Exit Songs for Graduation Ceremonies: Classics & the Latest BGM

String Quartet No. 2, Movement III: “Nocturne”Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin

Borodin: String Quartet No. 2: III. Nocturne [Naxos Classical Curation #Romantic]

The third movement of String Quartet No.

2 in D major by Alexander Borodin, a leading composer of 19th-century Russia, was composed in 1881 as a gift to his wife, Ekaterina, and premiered in St.

Petersburg the following year, 1882.

The way the cello’s sweet melody is taken up by the violin is like an intimate conversation.

Serene yet deeply expressive, this piece is perfect for creating a solemn yet warm atmosphere at moments such as the presentation of diplomas or the recessional.

Its gently flowing lines will bring a quiet sense of emotion to the hearts of the departing children and those who watch over them.

Pavane for a Dead PrincessMaurice Ravel

Ravel – Pavane for a Dead Princess, Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic, 1985

A signature work by Maurice Ravel in which quiet elegance melds with distant nostalgia.

Composed in 1899 as a solo piano piece and premiered in Paris in April 1902, it is said to have been inspired by the image of a young princess dancing at the Spanish court.

Though suffused with sadness, it never becomes heavy; its restrained beauty is part of its appeal.

Ravel later arranged the piece for orchestra himself, adding the horn’s gentle melody and the harp’s delicate hues, which gave the work a more expansive sonority.

Featured in numerous films, including Porco Rosso and Birdman, it has long provided a quiet backdrop for scenes of parting and remembrance.

It is an ideal choice for solemn yet warm occasions, such as processions of graduates or diploma presentations.

cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro

Sakura

This song, a massive hit in 2003, is a masterpiece that depicts parting and reunion through the beauty and transience of cherry blossoms.

Naotaro Moriyama’s clear vocals and the simple, piano-centered arrangement resonate deeply with listeners.

The lyrics, which liken cherry blossoms scattering at the very moment they are in full bloom to the turning points of life, evoke both the poignancy of a departure and a forward-looking hope.

Chosen as the ending theme for the MBS/TBS program “Sekai Ururun Taizai-ki,” it sold over one million copies.

In 2019, it was revived with a new arrangement as the theme song for the drama “同期のサクラ” (Synchrony’s Sakura), and it continues to be loved across generations.

Sung at a graduation ceremony—one of life’s important milestones—it will etch memories with friends and a resolve for the future even more deeply.

Symphonic Poem “Finlandia”Jean Sibelius

Sibelius: Finlandia (Prom 75)

Composed in 1899, during a period when Finland was under pressure from the Russian Empire, Jean Sibelius’s symphonic poem is a historic piece that expresses resistance to oppression and hope through music.

The weighty brass and low strings at the opening create a sense of tension, which gradually gives way to a powerful rhythm that brings exhilaration.

In the finale, the beauty of the hymn-like melody that rises out of the quiet is breathtaking.

This melody was later given lyrics and has since become beloved worldwide as a choral piece.

At graduation ceremonies, playing it during the procession will envelop the entire venue in a solemn atmosphere and stage the children’s new departure with dramatic effect.

Opera ‘Lohengrin’ – Elsa’s Procession to the CathedralRichard Wagner

Wagner: Opera “Lohengrin”: Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral (Procession/Entrance) [Naxos Classical Curations #Fantasy]

In August 1850, the opera Lohengrin by the German master Richard Wagner premiered.

Because the composer himself was in exile due to political circumstances, the work was presented on the Weimar stage under the baton of his friend Franz Liszt.

The solemn processional music heard in Act II accompanies the scene in which the bride, Elsa, proceeds to the cathedral.

Rather than dazzling brilliance, it conveys a sense of prayer and dignity with its imposing sonority, weaving rich harmonies and a songlike melody into a leisurely tempo.

Its stately atmosphere makes it perfect for graduation ceremonies as well.

Why not accompany the proud entrance of the graduates with this majestic music?

Symphony No. 2, Movement IIISergei Rachmaninov

Tadaaki Otaka (conductor) · Tokyo Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra / Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2, Movement III / Orchard Hall Subscription Concert, July 21, 2014

Among the large-scale symphonies by the Russian Romantic composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, the third movement of his Symphony No.

2 is exceptionally beautiful.

Premiered in February 1908, this work became a landmark piece that helped him overcome past harsh criticism and regain his confidence as a composer.

The clarinet’s long-breathed melody seeps into the heart like an endless song, gently embraced by the warm sonorities of the strings.

Played during diploma presentations or recessional scenes, it can create a moving atmosphere befitting the children’s departure on their next journey.

About meMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – About Me

An epic rock ballad that portrays everyday joys and sorrows, effort and setbacks.

Featuring marching band–style elements, the song explores various facets of life with themes of self-acceptance and growth.

Released as Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s eighth single in January 2019, an orchestral arrangement has been used in Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s commercials since November 2022.

It also served as the support song for the 97th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.

Recommended for those who need courage to step into a new environment or want to face themselves.

Listening to this track will give you the strength to keep looking forward and live true to yourself, no matter what your days bring!