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 pieces: songs you’ll want to perform at choir competitions and school events (81–90)

SMILE ~Like a Clear, Sunlit Sky~Kuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata “SMILE ~Like a Clear Blue Sky~” Commercial Broadcasters Official Special Movie (Joint Commercial Broadcasters Project ‘Let’s Do It Together’ Support Song)

SMILE ~Like a Clear, Sunlit Sky~Kuwata Keisuke

This song is the theme for the joint project “Let’s Do It Together,” carried out in collaboration by private TV stations across Japan.

The task was entrusted to Keisuke Kuwata, who has created numerous beloved national classics.

From the very beginning, the intro is striking—modern in sound yet somehow tinged with nostalgia.

It’s a slow-tempo piece with a relaxed melody, making it perfect for choral singing.

The lyrics also embrace dreams, hope, and the future with a positive outlook, so the content fits well with students’ cultural and school festivals!

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HallelujahGeorg Friedrich Händel

Hallelujah Chorus (composed by Handel) — 2013 Choir Competition Gold Prize

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.

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rainbow-coloredayaka

Ayaka / “Nijiiro” (Theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Hanako to Anne”) Music Video (Short Ver.)

rainbow-coloredayaka

This song was written as the theme for the NHK morning drama series Hanako to Anne, and its rhythmic, somewhat nostalgic melody is striking.

With a fresh and gentle feel, it brings energy and brightness to listeners.

It’s a piece well-suited for two-part female chorus.

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Caribbean Dream JourneyHashimoto Yoshiji

Handa Junior High School Chorus Contest 2013, Class 1-7: “Caribbean Dream Journey”

Caribbean Dream JourneyHashimoto Yoshiji

When you hear “Caribbean,” you might expect a more pirate-like vibe, but this piece turns out to be a simple song with a gentle, easy-to-follow melody.

The chase section between the girl and the boy is a distinctive feature.

The sudden use of the foreign-sounding word “Emerald” is striking, so I’d like to emphasize it.

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futureTakashima Midori

future

futureTakashima Midori

The final piece of the five-song mixed chorus suite “Flute Sounding in the Wind.” Because the same lyrics are repeated and there are many key changes, it’s a challenging work in terms of expression.

The lyrics, filled with hope for the future, leave a strong impression.

It’s a piece that evokes an image of a clear, limitless blue sky.

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