RAG MusicSchool Festival
Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

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.

A collection of cheerful choral pieces: songs you’ll want to perform at choral competitions and school events (51–60)

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

With vocals that gently embrace the doubts and struggles of youth and a message that invites you to rediscover your true self, this is an empowering anthem that resonates deeply.

Created as the theme song for NHK General’s “Mrs.

GREEN APPLE 18 Festival” in December 2024, its performance alongside 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation became a major talking point.

Celebrating the beauty of being your authentic self, this piece is perfect for school choir performances.

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s catchy melodies and warm lyrics are sure to bring everyone’s hearts together.

ultramarineSakushi: Minamisōma Shiritsu Ogataka Chūgakkō Heisei Nijūyon Nendo Sotsugyōsei / Oda Miki / Sakkyoku: Nobunaga Takutomi

A moving choral piece that unites the hearts of students separated by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

This gem was created by the 2012–2013 graduating class of Odaka Junior High School in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, together with composer Takafumi Nobunaga.

The work powerfully yet poignantly gives voice to the feelings of students who were forced to live in evacuation.

In August 2013, a CD and score were released by Panamusica, and in August 2014 it was featured on Nippon TV’s “24-Hour Television,” where an inspiring joint performance by Kanjani Eight and the students was showcased.

Centered on themes of recovery from the disaster and the bonds that connect us, this song expresses hope for the future and is perfect for choral performances at school and cultural festivals.

It’s an ideal piece for bringing hearts together across classes and grades, sharing precious feelings through song.

The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster 'The World Is Smiling at You' Short Ver.
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!

Green Green

With its delightfully bouncy piano rhythm, this choral classic features a catchy, unforgettable chorus and uniquely quirky lyrics.

While gentle ballads are lovely, the true essence of choral singing may also be found in pieces like this—rhythmic, surrendering to the piano, and sung with ease.

It’s a refreshing choral work that evokes the lush vitality of nature.

A collection of cheerful choral pieces: songs you’ll want to perform at chorus competitions and school events (61–70)

AldebaranAI

Aldebaran / AI [Mixed Chorus in 3 Parts]
AldebaranAI

The song I’d like high school students—who are just beginning to climb the steps into adulthood—to sing in chorus is “Aldebaran.” It was released in 2021 by AI, an R&B singer who moves freely between Japanese and English, and it was chosen as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Come Come Everybody.” Singer-songwriter Naotaro Moriyama wrote both the lyrics and the music, resulting in a melodious piece that suits choral performance.

I recommend a three-part mixed chorus arrangement that gives each section a moment to shine.

How about showcasing the beautiful timbre along with the voices of high school students?

Wasted wishesAKB48

[MV full] Negai-goto no Mochigusare / AKB48 [Official]
Wasted wishesAKB48

“Negaigoto no Mochigusare” is a song by the popular idol group AKB48.

Its slightly melancholic triple meter makes it a great way to add variety to the selections for a choral concert.

The song was also chosen as the required piece for the Junior High School division of the 2017 NHK All-Japan School Music Competition.

There is a mixed three-part choral arrangement that makes it easy to practice authentic choral singing, so be sure to check it out.

Bridge of Gloryyuzu

Graduation Ceremony ~ Bridge of Glory
Bridge of Gloryyuzu

Popular not only for choir competitions but also for graduation ceremonies, this song was released by Yuzu in 2004.

Since it was originally a major pop hit, many people can probably hum the main melody without learning it from scratch.

It has fewer harmony parts than other choral pieces, making it a great choice for classes that aren’t confident in their choral singing.

When you do sing the harmony sections, try not to focus only on your own melody—be mindful of how it relates to the other parts.