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

Tomorrow’s notesMatsushita Kou

N-Con 2024 High School Division Required Piece “Tomorrow’s Notebook” | Kobe City Mixed Chorus & Kobe High School Choir

This piece, chosen as the compulsory song for the High School Division of the 2024 All-Japan School Music Competition, is a choral work composed by Ko Matsushita with lyrics by Machi Tawara.

The lyrics, written in relatable, down-to-earth language, express both hopes and anxieties about the future, along with words that capture daily change and growth.

Blending Matsushita’s meticulous harmonies with a rich melody—and enhanced by its dramatic structure—the work resonates powerfully with listeners.

It’s a highly recommended song for anyone about to take a new step forward.

Beloved by many high school students, it’s drawing attention as a piece to be tackled at the N-Con.

The thing I wanted mostMakihara Noriyuki

“The Thing I Wanted Most” — Encore by the Class that Won the Choir Competition

It was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Last Present: The Final Summer Living with My Daughter,” starring Yuki Amami.

It’s a warm song about sharing the many “gifts” of happiness you have with many people; if you keep doing that, someday a wonderful gift of happiness will come to you as well.

Because you’re a high school student close to adulthood, I hope this song helps you become someone who can wish for others’ happiness, not just your own.

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SAKI

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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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I can hear (it)Sakushi: Iwama Yoshiki, Sakkyoku: Niimi Tokuhide

[Choral Piece] Can You Hear? / Mixed Chorus in Four Parts [With Lyrics]

Among choral pieces, “Kikoeru” (“Can You Hear?”) is known for its high level of difficulty, including the accompaniment, and is often selected for performance in competitions.

It was composed in 1991 as the required piece for the high school division of the NHK National School Music Competition.

There are versions for mixed choir (SATB), treble choir (SSA), and male choir (TTBB), and it is also beloved as a staple choral work for junior high students.

With lyrics that convey poignant sincerity and content that embodies the essence of choral singing, this is a piece we especially encourage high school students to take on for events and competitions.

In the student years—when you devote yourself wholeheartedly to a single pursuit or grow by engaging with many experiences—it may also serve as a catalyst for deeper learning.

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KEI

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Positive Taro ~A Beginning Anytime~Ueda Maki

Positive Taro ~Always the Beginning~

This is the set piece for the High School Division of the 85th NHK National School Music Competition.

The lyrics were written by Tsunku, the vocalist of Sharam Q and producer of groups such as Morning Musume.

While it’s easy to become negative, the song was created with the hope that you, too, will become a “Positive Taro,” believing “I’m invincible, I’m okay!” and face all kinds of challenges.

The repeated phrase at the end of the song will give you, a high school student, the power to take your first step forward!

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SAKI

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TOMORROWMayo Okamoto

Let's Sing, Japan - TOMORROW (Mayo Okamoto), SSA arrangement (arr. Harumi Misawa)

If you want to sing a choral piece with a strong message, TOMORROW is highly recommended.

Just listening to the lyrics is encouraging, and in chorus the song can energize people even more.

It’s perfect for those who prefer conveying a message through song rather than chasing trends.

It’s also a song that many parents’ generation knows, so multiple generations can enjoy it together.

Since many people come to watch choral performances, choosing something widely known can be a good criterion.

In such cases, try selecting TOMORROW.

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kinoshita ayaka

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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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