[Graduation Ceremony BGM] Guaranteed to move you! A comprehensive introduction to classic tear-jerkers!
BGM to add a flourish to a moving graduation ceremony.For teachers sending off their graduates, choosing the right music to color this milestone in the children’s lives can be a real challenge.So in this article, we’ve gathered a selection of classic, go-to pieces that are perfect for graduation ceremony BGM!We picked several tracks of different types—from orchestral works that lend a brilliant touch to the entrance scene to gentle, wistful piano pieces suited to quieter moments—so please use them as a guide for your music selection.We hope the ceremony will become a lasting memory, accompanied by music, for the children, their families, and the teachers alike.
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Graduation Ceremony BGM: Guaranteed to Move You! A Showcase of Tear-Jerking Classic Standards (21–30)
“Alla Hornpipe” from Water MusicGeorg Friedrich Händel
One piece from the orchestral suites composed by George Frideric Handel in 1717.
Said to have been written for a boating party on the River Thames, this work is characterized by its bright and splendid melodies.
In a dance-like movement featuring trumpets and horns, its lively, rhythmic character is striking.
It is frequently performed at weddings and celebrations, and is widely used as background music in films and television.
It’s also perfect as graduation ceremony BGM, especially for entrance scenes where you want to create a festive atmosphere.
Highly recommended for those who wish to celebrate a new beginning with a cheerful, forward-looking spirit.
Promenade from the suite Pictures at an ExhibitionModest Mussorgsky=Ravel
A part of the suite composed by Modest Mussorgsky, inspired by a memorial exhibition of his painter friend.
Since the orchestral version was completed in 1922, it has continued to be performed around the world, and many of you have probably heard its opening melody.
The theme that depicts walking through the exhibition begins with a trumpet solo and then spreads to the entire orchestra.
Maurice Ravel’s masterful orchestration further enhances the appeal of the original.
It’s a perfect piece to add splendor to a graduation procession—an empowering work that seems to strongly support graduates as they embark on a new chapter.
Festive Overture ‘1812’Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Festival Overture “1812,” with its moving, lyrical melodies, is perfect for those peak moments of emotion at graduation ceremonies.
Composed in 1880 to celebrate a historic Russian victory, the piece overflows with fervent patriotism and grandeur, leaving a powerful impression on listeners.
Although Tchaikovsky himself regarded it as having “no artistic value,” its majestic musicality continues to be widely loved today.
We highly recommend it to teachers seeking a grand and stirring BGM worthy of a memorable day.
Your sentiments are truly embedded in it, aren’t they? In the first verse, only piano and strings are used, offering a dramatic accompaniment that beautifully supports the vocals.
Adagio for StringsSamuel Barber
Composed by Samuel Barber in 1936 and premiered in 1938, Adagio for Strings captivates listeners with its moving melody and heartfelt performance.
Frequently used during periods of mourning and at significant moments, it is known as one of the most famous works in American music history.
Even if the composer’s name or the title doesn’t ring a bell, many people recognize it the moment they hear the opening—“Ah, that piece!” Its beautiful, gentle melody is perfect for special occasions like graduation ceremonies.
Scenes from Childhood No. 7 “Träumerei”Robert Schumann
A masterpiece by Robert Schumann where gentle beauty melds with deep emotion.
Among the piano miniatures of Scenes from Childhood, which depict a child’s pure heart from an adult perspective, Träumerei is especially famous.
Composed in 1838 and published in February of the following year, it is a challenging piece that, despite its simple structure, demands complex harmonic progressions and a delicate touch.
Its fame is considerable—for instance, an orchestral arrangement was used in both the opening and ending of the film “Exchange Students” (Tenkōsei).
With its dreamlike atmosphere and moments of soothing calm, this work gently supports children taking their first steps forward.