[Choral Songs] Recommended for High School Students! A Comprehensive Showcase from Classics to the Newest J‑Pop

If I put it into wordsGosuperāzu

If I put it into words

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.

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SAKI

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One MorningHirayoshi Takeshu

9th Grade Chorus: One Morning ♪

As the set piece for the 1978 NHK National School Music Competition (High School Division), versions for mixed chorus (SATB), male chorus (TTBB), and female chorus (SSA) were released.

After the competition, a mixed three-part version for junior high school students was also created.

Later, two songs—“Toki no Kariudo” (Hunter of Time) and “Ki yo” (O Tree)—were added, and the work became the choral suite “Hitotsu no Asa” (One Morning).

Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster

[Little Glee Monster] Youth Photograph [Litoguri]

A heartwarming youth pop song that wraps the bittersweet feelings of graduation season in a bright expression! Sparked by the moment of taking a photo, it portrays the importance of friendship and the excitement for the future, while also expressing the brave facade of masking loneliness with a smile.

Released by Little Glee Monster in March 2015, this work is one of the group’s signature songs that leads into the albums “Colorful Monster” and “Joyful Monster.” Its gentle lyrics, which weave together the value of friendship in a cheerful student life and the desire to preserve memories of life’s milestones, make it perfect for chorus performances at school festivals and graduation ceremonies.

rainbowSuda Masaki

“Niji” (Rainbow), three-part mixed chorus — Osaka Toin High School Wind Ensemble

Niji (Rainbow), sung by Masaki Suda and chosen as the theme song for the film STAND BY ME Doraemon 2, is a wedding song that conveys heartfelt feelings to a loved one.

It’s a popular track that reached No.

2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

The melody of Niji has just the right amount of movement—not too intricate—making it easy to sing in chorus, and the chorus section, with many repeated notes, is especially uplifting.

There are choral arrangement scores available, so give it a try!

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Hamada Takuya

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Flowers will bloom.hana wa saku purojekuto

Flowers Will Bloom Project / Flowers Will Bloom (Music Video Digest)

Sung as a support song for the Great East Japan Earthquake recovery, this piece is perfect for choral performance.

Its music video—memorable for celebrities linking their voices one after another—shows how well it suits being sung by many people together.

The Great East Japan Earthquake is something we, as Japanese, must never forget, and it’s important that young people continue to pass this song down.

Unlike typical J-pop, it has a calm tone, making it ideal for high school choirs.

As a lasting memory before becoming university students or entering the workforce, please consider singing “Hana wa Saku” (Flowers Will Bloom).

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kinoshita ayaka

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Love’s Form feat. HIDEMISIA

Aino Katachi feat. HIDE (GReeeeN) / MISIA (Mixed Three-Part Chorus) [Osaka Toin Wind Ensemble]

A song that gained attention as the theme for the TBS drama “Gibo to Musume no Blues.” It portrays deep feelings for a loved one.

Released in August 2018 as the 35th single, it reached No.

4 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 weekly chart.

It also received high acclaim across the board, including winning the Japan Record Awards’ Best Vocal Performance.

Recommended for those who want to express their feelings to someone important or are searching for the shape of love, this heartwarming track is perfect for school events where high school students gather with people who matter—friends, teachers, and parents.

sparkleFuji Kaze

Inter-High Arts Festival Tokyo 2022: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, August 4 – “Tabiji ~Kirari” Tokyo Performance Version

Singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze, who enjoys explosive popularity especially among younger generations.

His song Kirari is marked by its bright tone and bouncy rhythm, making it a top recommendation for choral pieces as well.

The message—“Both the shining future ahead and the varied past behind us all glimmer together”—beautifully symbolizes student youth.

Also, because the piece is highly rhythmic, adding handclaps and other accents to emphasize the beat will give it an even cooler vibe.

Definitely give it a try!

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Yuuki

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