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[Choral Music] Recommended for Middle Schoolers! A Collection of Moving Choral Works & Choral Arrangements

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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: 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.

In junior high school, there are many opportunities to perform choral pieces as a class or grade.

Music classes, choir competitions, school events like entrance and graduation ceremonies, and more.

In particular, it seems that more schools are putting effort into choir competitions.

However, when you want to “deliver a highly polished performance” or “choose songs that will stand out without overlapping with other classes,” selecting the repertoire can be difficult, and many teachers likely struggle with it every year.

In this article, we’ve picked out recommended choral pieces for junior high school students.

From classics to hidden gems, we’ll introduce moving works along with videos—please use them as a reference!

[Choir Pieces] Recommended for Middle School Students! A Collection of Moving Choral Works & Arrangements (71–80)

rainbowMoriyama Naotaro

Lyrics by Naotaro Moriyama and Kazu Okachimachi, composed by Takafumi Nobunaga / Niji (Rainbow) lyrics N. Moriyama, K. Okachimachi, composition T. Nobunaga / Niji

rainbowMoriyama Naotaro

This heartwarming song by Naotaro Moriyama sings of opposing emotions—encounters and farewells, joy and sorrow—through a melody that is gentle yet powerful.

Even when people share the same moment, each person feels something different; this duality of life is expressed with delicate words.

Released in 2006 as the set piece for the NHK National School Music Competition (Junior High School Division), its universal message has kept it beloved and widely sung in many schools to this day.

It’s a song that resonates during moments of sharing precious time with friends, such as at graduation ceremonies and school festivals—one you’ll definitely want to perform as a choir.

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skySKY-HI

SKY-HI / Sora (BE:FIRST) -Professional Karaoke-

skySKY-HI

A choral piece that gently embraces the many anxieties and conflicts of adolescence.

Its grand melody evokes a vast sky, and its warm lyrics, which empathize with young people’s struggles, speak to the heart.

Written by SKY-HI—who also enjoys immense support as an idol producer—the song was selected as the set piece for the Middle School Division of the 92nd NHK All-Japan School Music Competition.

The lyrics, depicting a determination to move forward despite unstable emotions, are sure to encourage high school students devoted to their studies and sports.

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Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster

EMF3-0048 Someday These Tears [Women's 3-Part Chorus]

Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster

It’s a Little Glee Monster song that resonates as an anthem cheering on those striving toward their dreams.

The members’ powerful yet delicate vocals blend beautifully, gently embracing the strength to never give up in the face of setbacks and hardships, as well as the profound meaning that tears can hold.

Released in January 2018, the song was chosen as the support song for the 96th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.

It’s a heartwarming encouragement song that stands beside those who, through daily practice and challenges, shed tears yet keep moving forward, and those advancing toward their precious goals.

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FateOfisharu Higedan Dism

EMG3-0223 Destiny / Official HIGE DANDism [Mixed 3-Part Chorus]

FateOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism’s “Shukumei,” which was the support song for high school baseball in 2019, is also great for choral performance.

As part of a project by the popular teen radio show “SCHOOL OF LOCK!,” a brass band arrangement of “Shukumei” was produced, and the chorus featuring 34 high school students gathered from across the country was recorded.

With lyrics filled with passion and a powerful, energetic sound, it’s a perfect fit for junior high school students in their youth.

How about performing it at a chorus contest or a school festival?

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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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Please give me wingsSakushi: Yamagami Michio, Sakkyoku: Murai Kunihiko

Tsuda Gakuen Elementary School — “Tsubasa wo Kudasai”

Please give me wingsSakushi: Yamagami Michio, Sakkyoku: Murai Kunihiko

Hasn’t everyone sung it at least once? “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” is one of the standard choral pieces.

With its relaxed, mid-tempo melody, it’s exceptionally easy to sing in a choir.

In the chorus, enjoy the blend between soprano and alto as the song swells.

The lyrics are also highly literary and appealing, so if you sing while reflecting on their meaning, it will surely bring out even more depth.

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swallowYOASOBI

Swallow / YOASOBI

swallowYOASOBI

A song of hope woven together with the pure voices of children.

Its powerful message—that small actions can change the world—perfectly matches the beautifully clear, translucent vocals.

Chosen as the theme song for NHK’s SDGs program series for children, “Hirogare! Irotoridori,” it was also broadcast on “Minna no Uta” in October and November 2021.

With its gentle melody, grand soundscape, and the children’s soaring voices creating a rich harmony, this work delivers a moving experience that resonates deeply.

It’s also recommended as a piece for choir practice or for singing at school events.

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