A collection of cheerful choral pieces—songs you’ll want to perform at 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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A collection of upbeat choral songs: pieces you’ll want to perform at choir competitions and school events (71–80)
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.
Space Battleship Yamatosasaki isao
As the theme song of the titled anime, it’s widely known as a classic, traditional anime anthem.
It may be a piece that truly shines because of its mixed male and female vocals.
The powerful lead sung by the male voice and the soprano that complements it weave a beautiful harmony.
Words of FarewellKaientai
A song that instantly brings a smile to your face, with a title—“Positive Taro”—that feels so quintessentially like something master producer Tsunku would write.
While the overall vibe is that of a traditional choral piece, the title and lyrics add a distinctive twist.
Even so, it stands out as a top-tier choral work in terms of technique, with rich dynamics and a wealth of delightful hidden flavors that make it an absolute joy to sing.
If I put it into wordsGosuperāzu
Gospellers’ “If I Put It into Words” evokes a future that shines on endlessly.
Released in 2007 as a double A-side single together with “It Still Matters ~Ai wa Nemuranai,” this song was created as the set piece for the 2007 NHK All-Japan School Music Competition, high school division.
Its beautiful melody spans a wide vocal range, with the soprano part in particular demanding quite high notes.
And although the melody has great momentum, it isn’t enough to simply sing it powerfully—refined expressive ability is also required.
There are many challenging aspects, but the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after singing it through is sure to be immense.
Shining in my heart
A choral piece I would love to have sung at graduation is “Kokoro no Naka ni Kirameite,” released in 1998.
It was created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Okayama Prefecture Junior High School Band Federation, with lyrics by Haruka Tasaki and music by Shoji Hashimoto.
The lyrics, which reflect on memories of school life, are perfect for a graduation ceremony.
It’s also available in various formats—two-part equal voices, three-part mixed chorus, and four-part mixed chorus—so you can practice according to your level, which is another reason I recommend it.
As you practice, be sure to immerse yourself in the friendships with your classmates and the memories of school events and club activities!
COSMOSSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasu
This is a choral piece with a majestic atmosphere, depicting beautiful natural landscapes and a sense of gazing toward the distant universe.
Originally released as a song by the music unit Aquamarine, it was later arranged for three-part mixed chorus.
While the piece has a grand theme, its origins in pop music mean the lyrics are easy to understand, which is a major strength.
If building harmonies feels challenging, focusing on the canonic, imitative singing can make the choral performance enjoyable.
Kitearashi
With its simple melodic line and beautiful harmonies that are perfect for choir, “Kite,” composed by Kenshi Yonezu and sung by Arashi, is an ideal choice.
It’s a cheer song dedicated to all those who are giving their best—young people who will lead the future, athletes, and more.
Chosen as NHK’s 2020 Song, it was also used during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, drawing widespread attention.
If you practice well and create beautiful harmonies, it becomes a ballad that you can neither listen to nor sing without tears.
As Arashi’s final release before their hiatus, it’s a song we’d love to see performed at graduation ceremonies.