Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[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 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.

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!

[Choral Music] Recommended for Junior High School Students! A Collection of Moving Choral Works & Arrangements (81–90)

Graduation PhotoMatsutōya Yumi

“Graduation Photo” 2017.2.19 Japan’s 100 Selected Songs

Graduation PhotoMatsutōya Yumi

When it comes to classic graduation songs, Yumi Matsutoya’s “Sotsugyo Shashin” is a must.

It’s a song from her pre-marriage days as Yumi Arai, and a renowned track included on the 1975 album “COBALT HOUR.” The lyrics sing of how I’ve changed since graduation, contrasted with how you remain the same, and of my feelings for you.

With its simple melody and relaxed tempo, it isn’t too difficult, so why not try having the whole class perform it as a chorus for your final pre-graduation event?

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futureKobukuro

Kobukuro - Mirai - Chorus

futureKobukuro

This is a moving ballad that was chosen as the theme song for the film “orange.” Kobukuro’s songs actually have quite a range in pitch, so dividing the main parts between female and male singers is important.

Let the female and male vocals complement each other.

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MoldauSakushi: Iwakawa Saburō, Sakkyoku: Bedorujia Smetana

[Chorus] The Moldau (Three-part mixed chorus) with lyrics

MoldauSakushi: Iwakawa Saburō, Sakkyoku: Bedorujia Smetana

This is a three-part mixed chorus version with lyrics and arrangement by Saburo Iwakawa of the first theme from Vltava (The Moldau), the second piece in Bedřich Smetana’s cycle Má vlast (My Country).

It greatly condenses the structure of Vltava and arranges it for piano and mixed choir, and this version is currently well known in Japan.

Many musicians abroad have also created their own lyrics and arrangements.

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As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE

EME-C3138 Again and Again / DREAMS COME TRUE [Mixed Chorus, 3 Parts]

As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE

A heartfelt cheer song by DREAMS COME TRUE about the strength to rise again and again.

Released in February 2005 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Emergency Room 24 Hours (Season 3),” it reached No.

3 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Its warm melody and grand arrangement leave a strong impression as they gently accompany those trying to overcome setbacks.

It softly teaches the importance of believing in yourself and moving forward when faced with adversity—making it a perfect choice to conclude a school festival chorus or a class presentation.

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Shining in my heart

Choral Piece: Sparkling in My Heart

Shining in my heart

A choral piece I would love to have sung at graduation is “Kokoro no Naka ni Kirameite,” released in 1998.

It was created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Okayama Prefecture Junior High School Band Federation, with lyrics by Haruka Tasaki and music by Shoji Hashimoto.

The lyrics, which reflect on memories of school life, are perfect for a graduation ceremony.

It’s also available in various formats—two-part equal voices, three-part mixed chorus, and four-part mixed chorus—so you can practice according to your level, which is another reason I recommend it.

As you practice, be sure to immerse yourself in the friendships with your classmates and the memories of school events and club activities!

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