From classic choral pieces to popular J-pop! Moving songs you’ll want to sing at graduation ceremonies

GarnetOku Hanako

Hanako Oku / Garnet (Solo Performance) [Music Video]

A moving ballad that brings to mind scene after scene from student days—the sprinting figures on the field, casual after-school conversations, lines of handwriting in a notebook.

Released in 2006 as Hanako Oku’s fourth single, it reached a wide audience as the theme song for director Mamoru Hosoda’s animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

It’s a celebrated classic that also won the Heisei Anime Song Award for Best Film Theme.

In simple words, it conveys both the ache of time slipping away and gratitude for the encounters that made one stronger.

Even if we are separated, those days will never fade.

That message resonates deeply, making it a perfect song for the milestone of a graduation ceremony.

It’s a piece we especially hope junior high school students will sing as they engrave memories with friends in their hearts and take their first steps forward.

To the futureKiroro

EMG3-0018 To the Future / Kiroro [Mixed 3-Part Chorus]

Released in 1998 as Kiroro’s second single.

It’s a song often sung in music classes and chorus competitions, and it’s also a classic graduation song.

The lyrics, which express regret from a sensitive time when one couldn’t be honest about a mother’s straightforward love, along with gratitude, are deeply moving.

It’s a timeless masterpiece that moves listeners as well.

proofflumpool

Akashi / flumpool [Mixed Chorus, 3 Parts]

“secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~,” ZONE’s smash hit released in 2001.

Of course it was a hit when it first came out, but it has continued to be loved across generations, with cover versions also becoming hits.

It’s a song overflowing with the bittersweetness of youth, and it would surely make for a moving choral piece at events like graduation ceremonies.

It’s the kind of song that will feel nostalgic and deeply touching even for parents who listen to it.

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SAKI

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spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE

[Official Chorus Arrangement] EMG3-0229 Spring Melancholy / Mrs. GREEN APPLE [Mixed 3-Part Chorus]

When it comes to songs that capture the honest feelings of students on the verge of graduation, Harushuu stands out.

Released in 2018 by the rock band Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, known for delivering music that encourages people, it portrays sincere emotions directed toward loved ones—friends, partners, and others—ringing out over a calm piano tone.

By dividing into soprano and alto parts, aim for rich choral work in your performance.

It carries a touch of nostalgia while still feeling refreshing—a perfect graduation song.

Why not sing a piece that lets you express your true feelings to the friends and classmates who shared your school life?

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mutō

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Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster 'Someday These Tears Will' Short Ver.

Little Glee Monster’s vocals always move us with their wonderful harmonies, even on pop songs.

How about performing their touching song “Itsuka Kono Namida ga” as a choral piece? This song was the support song for the 96th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament and carries a message for those who are giving their all.

Whether you worked hard in a school club, studied diligently, or made lots of precious memories with friends, everyone has their own special moments.

This is a song that will make those memories even more moving.

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utatane

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Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Come, Spring

Selected as the theme song for NHK’s morning drama series in 1994, this piece reached households across the country every morning.

Released as Yumi Matsutoya’s 26th single, it topped the Oricon charts and became a million-selling hit with cumulative sales exceeding 1.16 million copies.

Its beautiful melody, evoking traditional Japanese sensibilities, and its lyrics woven with classical diction received high praise—so much so that they were included in junior high school Japanese textbooks.

Depicting a prayer for spring after a long winter, the song is perfectly suited to graduation ceremonies that mark farewells and new beginnings.

When performing it with a wind ensemble, focusing on long-breathed phrasing and sensitive pacing will help convey the original’s serene beauty.

On this important day celebrating a new departure, why not send off the graduates with a gently resonant performance that touches the heart?

far; distant; by farGReeeeN

Haruka Mixed Chorus (3 Parts)

Alongside GReeeeN’s signature songs “Kiseki” and “Ai Uta,” this track “Haruka” is also widely known.

Released in 2009 as their 11th single, it was chosen as the theme song for the film ROOKIES: Graduation.

The lyrics portray the feelings of a protagonist striving toward their dreams, as well as the warm words of their parents.

It’s a moving song that feels like a graduate’s resolve dedicated to the parents who have watched over and supported them.

With this song, you can say, “Thank you” and “I’ll keep doing my best.”

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sasashina

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