Upbeat Choral Pieces: A Curated Selection of Energetic Works Perfect for Choir Competitions and School Events!
When everyone is singing a choral piece together, it can sometimes take a while to decide which song to choose, right?
Even if you have a vague idea like “I want something with this kind of vibe,” it can be hard to think of a song that fits.
So in this article, I’ll introduce some recommended choral pieces for those who are thinking, “I want to sing something with a bright feel, but nothing comes to mind.”
All of these songs have an upbeat tone and are fun both to listen to and to sing, so please use them as a reference when choosing your repertoire.
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[Upbeat Choral Pieces] Carefully selected lively works recommended for choir contests and events! (61–70)
Pegasus Galloping Through the SkyKurosawa Yoshinori
Composed in 1978, this is a three-part mixed chorus piece, though there are sections that expand to four or five parts.
Set in E minor, it features a lively melody reminiscent of galloping horses, but there is a sudden tempo slowdown in the middle.
In the latter half, similar lyrics are repeated in succession, with the pitch gradually rising—a distinctive characteristic of the piece.
Wasted wishesAKB48
A track notable for its unusual 6/8 time signature and a mysterious melody reminiscent of Russian folk songs.
AKB48’s expressive harmonies pair perfectly with the original choreography, which evokes a wizard manipulating dolls.
Released in May 2017, the piece was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” and was also selected as the required song for the Junior High School Division of the 84th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition.
Its appeal as a choral work is fully brought out, making it a song you’ll want to perform in school music classes and choir competitions.
Recommended as a piece that invites singers to reflect together on the meaning of making dreams and wishes come true.
skySKY-HI
A choral piece that gently embraces the many anxieties and conflicts of adolescence.
Its grand melody evokes a vast sky, and its warm lyrics, which empathize with young people’s struggles, speak to the heart.
Written by SKY-HI—who also enjoys immense support as an idol producer—the song was selected as the set piece for the Middle School Division of the 92nd NHK All-Japan School Music Competition.
The lyrics, depicting a determination to move forward despite unstable emotions, are sure to encourage high school students devoted to their studies and sports.
Deer-Colored DaysShikabu
It’s an outrageously cheerful, happy song! It’s performed by Shika-bu, a unit made up of the voice actors who play the main characters in the TV anime “Shikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan.” The repeated phrase of the title is irresistible once you hear it even once! It’s bursting with an overwhelmingly positive energy that lifts your spirits just by listening.
The song was released for streaming in July 2024 and came out as a CD single in August of the same year.
Perfect for when you want to go all-out at karaoke or for lively moments of laughter with friends!
HallelujahGeorg Friedrich Händel
Using a hymn for a chorus competition is fresh and great, isn’t it? Since it’s a well-known piece, it should go over well.
If you want to sing it joyfully like gospel, commit fully to that approach; if you want to emphasize cohesion as a choir, you’ll need appropriate arranging and practice in the choral singing style.
The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster
An upbeat melody and powerful harmonies make this a heart-pounding track! Beloved as one of Little Glee Monster’s signature songs, it was released in August 2018 and quickly became a hot topic after being featured in a Coca-Cola commercial.
With themes of “smiles” and “positivity,” it sings about the world smiling upon you.
The lyrics, brimming with hope for a bright future, are perfect for weddings to celebrate the newlyweds’ new beginning.
If everyone claps along and sings together, the venue is sure to be filled with happiness!
Blue BirdSakushi: Yasuoka Yuu / Sakkyoku: Kitayama Youichi
A quintessential choral piece also sung by the vocal group The Gospellers.
The opening “la-la-la” chorus that quietly builds the introduction to the story is rich with breathing space.
The lyrics, based on Maeterlinck’s The Blue Bird, tell the beginning of a boy and girl’s adventure—indeed, the beginning of life itself—woven with great hope and a touch of anxiety, in a story-like style.
In that sense, it’s perfect for junior high schoolers in the midst of adolescence.
Another charm of this song is its dramatic development: once the chorus hits, the voices split into high and low parts before merging back together.
It’s a highly recommended song you could call a ‘go-to when in doubt!’