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

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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.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

The choral performances that move people at events like school festivals and graduation ceremonies.

In this article, we’ve gathered choral pieces recommended for high school students, as well as popular songs that have been arranged for choir.

We’ll introduce a wide range of music across genres—from classic pieces you find in textbooks to the latest J-pop.

In high school, there are often situations where students discuss and choose the repertoire together.

Even for the latest hit songs, you’ll often find published choral arrangements if you look, so don’t feel constrained by the idea that you must choose from a “choral anthology.” Be sure to consider a variety of songs.

[Choral Songs] Recommended for High School Students! A Comprehensive Roundup from Classics to the Newest J‑Pop (11–20)

If I put it into wordsGosuperāzu

If I put it into words

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.

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YELLikimonogakari

[Chorus] YELL (Mixed Choir in Three Parts)

YELLikimonogakari

A song by Ikimonogakari that captured the hearts of young people as an anthem encouraging the courage to reflect on your past self and take a step forward.

It offers a warm message that stands by anyone facing anxiety or doubts on the path to their dreams and gives them a gentle push toward a new beginning.

After its release in September 2009, it drew major attention, including earning the group their first No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

It’s a song you’ll want to sing on special days spent with friends—at graduation ceremonies, school events, and the culminating stages of club activities.

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Love’s Form feat. HIDEMISIA

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

Love's Form feat. HIDEMISIA

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.

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Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi

Eine Kleine [Three-Part Mixed] Mixed Chorus Aichi Gakuin University Glee Club

Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi

A song by Kenshi Yonezu included on the album “YANKEE.” With its dense lyrics and high melodic difficulty, it’s a perfect piece for high schoolers and up to try.

It conveys the joy of encounters and the ever-present fear of parting that lurks beneath them.

To high school students standing at the edge of a road where they’ll experience more and more of this, it seems to urge them to keep walking without losing hope.

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FateOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Destiny (Brass Band ver.) [Official Video]

FateOfisharu Higedan Dism

It was selected as the support song for ABC’s Summer High School Baseball in 2019 and was also used as the theme song for Nettō Kōshien.

Although the song was written for high school baseball players, the lyrics encourage not only them but also anyone about to spread their wings toward their dreams.

Whether sung at the original tempo or more slowly, it’s a piece that powerfully conveys the song’s strength.

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Bridge of Gloryyuzu

Bridge of Glory

Bridge of Gloryyuzu

A cheering song that delivers hope and courage to those pursuing their dreams.

Its highly relatable lyrics depict tears and hard work that we don’t show in everyday life, and the uneven path of life—leaving a lasting impression.

Released as a single in July 2004, it moved many as NHK’s official theme song for the Athens Olympics.

Perfectly balancing Yuzu’s acoustic charm with a passionate melody, this piece is also ideal for chorus performances at school festivals and graduation ceremonies.

It’s a song that resonates with feelings like “I want to keep looking forward without giving up on my dreams” and “I want to share the emotion with my friends.”

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[Choral Songs] Recommended for High School Students! A Comprehensive Introduction from Classics to the Newest J‑Pop (21–30)

To the futureKiroro

EMG3-0018 To the Future / Kiroro [Mixed 3-Part Chorus]

To the futureKiroro

This song is captivating for its warm melody and heartfelt lyrics themed around a mother’s message to her child and hope for the future.

It’s also known as a piece that Chiharu Tamashiro composed when she was in her third year of junior high school, after seeing her mother catch a cold and worrying it might be something serious, prompting her to express her gratitude.

Released in June 1998 by the duo Kiroro, the song drew renewed attention in 2020 when Shuzo Matsuoka performed it for P&G’s “Bridge of Thoughts Project” commercial.

Beyond being a staple for school culture festivals and graduation ceremonies, its depiction of the quiet, watchful gaze that nurtures the parent–child bond and growth has also made it a popular choice to dedicate to parents at weddings.

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