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[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 (51–60)

broad daylightKing Gnu

[Mixed Chorus] Hakujitsu – King Gnu

broad daylightKing Gnu

One of the signature songs by the rock band King Gnu, which exploded in popularity in 2019.

The high notes by vocalist Mr.

Iguchi in the intro are striking, and I think it’s widely recognized as a high-difficulty song for karaoke.

How about taking on this notoriously difficult piece as a choral arrangement? In a choir, you can divide parts by vocal range, which might actually make it easier to tackle.

While the original is a rock song, if you arrange it for chorus and perform it beautifully, you’re sure to feel a great sense of accomplishment!

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One MorningHirayoshi Takeshu

9th Grade Chorus: One Morning ♪

One MorningHirayoshi Takeshu

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).

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dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo

2015 Tokunoshima Chorus Festival – Tokunoshima High School Music Club, Yo Hitoto “Hanamizuki”

dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo

Yo Hitoto’s “Hanamizuki” is a classic beloved as a choral piece at schools across Japan.

The original track even features choir-style backing vocals, and in the latter half the chorus is sung a cappella.

The song was also used in episode 7 of the 2015 drama “Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu!” which focuses on a high school choir.

When Yo Hitoto appeared on TBS’s 2018 program “Ongaku no Hi,” she took the stage with 62 high school students from Taiwan and Japan to perform a choral rendition.

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My BalladMatsui Takao

[Chorus] My Ballad (Mixed Choir, Four Parts)

My BalladMatsui Takao

The choral piece “My Ballad” celebrates the joy of many voices singing together as one.

It’s a classic chorus song that even appears in music textbooks.

It was the debut work of songwriter-composer Takao Matsui, and it embodies his message: “No matter who we are, we’re all human—let’s unite our hearts and sing.” Thanks to the efforts of volunteers in the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, it has also been sung in countries around the world, such as Paraguay, showing the power of music to transcend language and borders.

Please try practicing it together, raising your voices as one!

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[Choral Songs] Recommended for High School Students! A Comprehensive Introduction from Classics to the Newest J‑Pop (61–70)

Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster

[Little Glee Monster] Youth Photograph [Litoguri]

Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster

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.

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IN TERRA PAX – Peace on EarthSakushi: Tsurumi Masao, Sakkyoku: Ogikubo Kazuaki

IN TERRA PAX Peace on Earth (from the mixed chorus suite “IN TERRA PAX Peace on Earth”)

IN TERRA PAX - Peace on EarthSakushi: Tsurumi Masao, Sakkyoku: Ogikubo Kazuaki

“IN TERRA PAX – Peace on Earth” was created around the theme of love on a global scale.

The newly written lyrics by Masao Tsurumi and the expansive, open-hearted melody composed by Kazuaki Ogikubo leave a strong impression.

Originally, it was produced as one piece within a suite themed on war and peace.

Its passionate sound, conveying a powerful will, is sure to give you courage.

This is a choral work we especially hope high school students—on the cusp of adulthood—will sing with heartfelt intent.

Please showcase the dynamic resonance of mixed chorus.

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futureTakashima Midori

future

futureTakashima Midori

The final piece of the five-song mixed chorus suite “Flute Sounding in the Wind.” Because the same lyrics are repeated and there are many key changes, it’s a challenging work in terms of expression.

The lyrics, filled with hope for the future, leave a strong impression.

It’s a piece that evokes an image of a clear, limitless blue sky.

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