Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

A collection of cheerful choral pieces—songs you’ll want to perform at choir competitions and school events.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

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.

A collection of upbeat choral songs: pieces you’ll want to perform at choir competitions and school events (71–80)

COSMOSSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasu

Choral Piece: COSMOS / With Lyrics [High Quality]

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.

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Kitearashi

[Chorus] Kite / Arashi・Kenshi Yonezu (Mixed Choir ShallWeSing?)

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.

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A Gift of a Summer Day

Toda Higashi Junior High School “A Summer Day’s Gift”

A Gift of a Summer Day

A choral piece composed in 1989.

There are versions for mixed voices in two parts and for female voices in three parts.

It was included in middle school music textbooks, making it a well-known piece, and it is often sung at middle school choral competitions.

It vividly evokes images of summer scenery.

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I can hear silence.Matsumoto Nozomi

Hearing Silence [Conductor Cam] Conductor: Naoto Aizawa / 89th (2022) NHK National School Music Competition, High School Division — Set Piece

I can hear silence.Matsumoto Nozomi

A gem of a choral piece by Nozomi Matsumoto that listens to the voice of the heart in the midst of silence.

Its delicate harmonies and richly expressive melody beautifully convey feelings beyond words.

Chosen as the set piece for the High School Division of the 89th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition, it deeply moved many students.

The work is available in several versions, including mixed chorus (SATB) and three-part women’s chorus.

Sung together at important occasions such as choral competitions or graduation ceremonies, it is sure to create a moving stage that resonates in the hearts of listeners.

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I can hear silence.Sakushi: Sumino Yoru / Sakkyoku: Matsumoto Nozomi

Hearing Silence [Conductor Cam] Conductor: Naoto Aizawa / 89th (2022) NHK National School Music Competition, High School Division — Set Piece

I can hear silence.Sakushi: Sumino Yoru / Sakkyoku: Matsumoto Nozomi

A gem of a choral piece by Nozomi Matsumoto that listens to the voice of the heart in the midst of silence.

Its delicate harmonies and richly expressive melody beautifully convey feelings beyond words.

Chosen as the set piece for the High School Division of the 89th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition, it deeply moved many students.

The work is available in several versions, including mixed chorus (SATB) and three-part women’s chorus.

Sung together at important occasions such as choral competitions or graduation ceremonies, it is sure to create a moving stage that resonates in the hearts of listeners.

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