Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

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

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.
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 Introduction from Classics to the Newest J‑Pop (21–30)

A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly

Choral ver. “A Bouquet with Love” – Three-part mixed chorus

A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly

Let’s sing with a feeling of love and gratitude.

One of the challenging parts of this piece is where the English lyrics appear.

As high school students who have studied English in class for several years, I especially encourage you not to give up and to give it a try.

Also, because the key is on the higher side, it may be difficult to sing—especially for girls—but if you can let your uniquely high school, resonant, beautiful voices ring out, it will make for a truly wonderful chorus!

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I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu

I Should Be Able to Fly in the Sky / Spitz [Mixed 3-Part Chorus]

I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu

Released in 1994, this classic by Spitz has long been loved as a graduation song across generations.

Some of you may have sung it, and others might have wished you could.

Its warm, heartfelt message resonates beautifully with the farewells and new beginnings of spring.

Arranged for relatively easy three-part mixed chorus, high school students in particular should be able to create a richer harmony.

Because Spitz’s songs naturally evoke strong emotions, this piece is highly recommended as one of the few choral works that color a graduation ceremony.

It will bring to mind memories of school life and the bonds with those you cherish, moving you to tears.

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[Choral Songs] Recommended for High School Students! A Complete Introduction from Classics to the Newest J‑Pop (31–40)

budKobukuro

Wakayama Prefectural Tanabe High School Choir – (8) Tsubomi

budKobukuro

Released in March 2007 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad,” this Kobukuro track powerfully portrays the bond with a mother.

Set to a warm, acoustic guitar–driven sound, it expresses both the sense of loss after losing someone dear and the strength to overcome it.

It won the 49th Japan Record Award, and in March 2008 it was selected as the entrance march for the opening ceremony of the 80th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, earning widespread affection.

It’s a song that resonates in memorable moments like school festivals and graduation ceremonies.

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proofflumpool

Akashi / flumpool [Mixed Chorus, 3 Parts]

proofflumpool

Flumpool’s “Akashi” was written as the set piece for the Junior High School Division of the 78th NHK All-Japan School Choir Competition.

Released in 2011 as their seventh single, the first pressing even included sheet music for mixed three-part chorus.

Its lyrics, portraying young people reaffirming their friendships, are likely to resonate with teens.

It was also featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” from August to September 2011.

Since many of you have probably heard it, let’s all try singing it together!

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The Bell of PeaceNakasato Yukihiro

Yukihiro Nakazato / Bell of Peace (HEIWA)

The Bell of PeaceNakasato Yukihiro

“The Bell of HEIWA” is a song that emphasizes the importance of passing down the spirit of our predecessors—who sought to protect peace without taking up arms—so that we never forget the tragedies of war and the sacrifices that came with them.

Carrying a strong, optimistic message along with a wish for peace, it has moved many people.

Released in 2000, it is a signature song by Yukihiro Nakazato, and later, thanks to an arrangement by Tetsuya Shiraishi, it became widely loved as a choral piece.

It’s a staple often performed at choral competitions and is highly recommended for high school students.

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March 9Remioromen

Remioromen – March 9th (Music Video Short ver.)

March 9Remioromen

A song by Remioromen that’s often sung as a staple chorus piece at graduation ceremonies.

It was featured as an insert song in the drama “1 Litre of Tears” starring Erika Sawajiri, and the scene where the cast performs it as a chorus was especially memorable.

Since the students who sing it in the drama are high schoolers, it’s a song that high school students can easily connect with when performing.

Because the key is set on the lower side, if you sing it in the original key, I recommend that female singers take it up an octave.

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DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

With vocals that gently embrace the confusions and struggles of youth and a message that encourages you to rediscover your true self, this is an inspiring anthem that resonates in the heart.

Created in December 2024 as the theme song for NHK General’s “Mrs.

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

Celebrating the beauty of being yourself just as you are, this piece is perfect for choral performances at school and cultural festivals.

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s woven pop melodies and warm lyrics are sure to unite everyone’s hearts.

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