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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 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 Pieces] Recommended for Junior High Students! A Collection of Moving Choral Works & Choral Arrangements (1–10)

COSMOSMimas

[Choral Piece] COSMOS / One Singer per Part [Astonishing Quality with a Small Ensemble]

COSMOSMimas

The choral piece “COSMOS” lets you feel the grandeur of the universe.

Its melody, which paints an ever-expanding cosmic image in your mind, is wonderfully pleasant to listen to.

In the chorus, the pitch goes relatively high, so aim to sing freely and comfortably with a sense of openness.

The lyrics have a mystical quality that evokes nature, and if you picture the scenery, you might discover something new.

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DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

With vocals that gently embrace the doubts and struggles of youth and a message that invites you to rediscover your true self, this is an empowering anthem that resonates deeply.

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

GREEN APPLE 18 Festival” in December 2024, its performance alongside 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation became a major talking point.

Celebrating the beauty of being your authentic self, this piece is perfect for school choir performances.

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s catchy melodies and warm lyrics are sure to bring everyone’s hearts together.

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Let’s search for tomorrowSakushi: Hori Tetsu sakushi, sakkyoku: Osawa Tetsunori

Let’s search for tomorrow ﾚｯﾂｻｰﾁﾌｫｰﾄｩﾓﾛｰ

Let's search for tomorrowSakushi: Hori Tetsu sakushi, sakkyoku: Osawa Tetsunori

Watch “Let’s search for tomorrow Lyrics: Tetsu Hori, Lyrics/Composition: Tetsunori Osawa” on YouTube

One of the choral standards, “Let’s Search for Tomorrow.” It’s a bright choral piece filled with hope and dreams for tomorrow.

The melody jumps up in the chorus, so try singing with the image of your voice stretching upward.

With many repeated phrases and an easy-to-follow rhythm, it’s also recommended for those who aren’t confident singers.

It’s a piece that evokes a sense of anticipation for the future to come.

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[Choral Songs] Recommended for Junior High Students! A Collection of Moving Choral Works & Choral Arrangements (11–20)

determinationSakushi: Kataoka Akira, Sakkyoku: Suzuki Norio

Lyrics by Akira Kataoka, Music by Norio Suzuki / Determination lyrics H. Kataoka, composition N. Suzuki / Ketsui

determinationSakushi: Kataoka Akira, Sakkyoku: Suzuki Norio

Determination is a choral piece by Akira Kataoka and Norio Suzuki that expresses respect and gratitude for people who loved the past, cherished nature, were kind to others, and strict with themselves.

While portraying the way of life we should aspire to as human beings, learned from those people, it encourages us to take a step into the future and resolve to spread peace and happiness across the globe.

It is a choral work that cheers on each and every person living in the 21st century to keep challenging themselves, believing that we all have the power to hold the most beautiful things in our hearts and make the future shine.

It’s a perfect song for milestones like graduation ceremonies—one that you’ll definitely want to sing with a large group!

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presentSEKAI NO OWARI

[Choral Song] Present / Mixed Chorus in Three Parts [With Lyrics]

presentSEKAI NO OWARI

This is a song by SEKAI NO OWARI, written as the set piece for the middle school division of the 82nd NHK All-Japan School Music Competition in 2015.

The lyrics, written by member Saori, depict feelings from youth, such as the difficulty of being honest.

If you’re performing it on a big stage like a school festival, it might be fun to go all out with a band accompaniment or add percussion and drums.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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horizonback number

[Chorus] “Horizon” by back number (Mixed 2-Part) by Manamaru × Choir Clubs of Four Junior High Schools in Kasukabe City ‘Moving’

horizonback number

Suiheisen was written for high school students aiming for the 2020 All Japan High School Athletic Meet.

It’s a song by the rock band back number, known for their popular tracks depicting romance.

With a somewhat nostalgic, warm melody that tugs at the heart, this moving message song gives courage to middle and high school students working hard in their clubs and studies.

How about performing a choral arrangement of a track by this band, which enjoys overwhelming support from teens?

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March 9Remioromen

Remioromen – March 9

March 9Remioromen

A song marked by lyrics full of kindness and a memorable melody.

Created to celebrate a member’s friend’s wedding, it gently portrays moments that evoke the changing seasons and feelings of gratitude toward loved ones.

The transition from a calm tone to a soaring chorus showcases Remioromen’s signature delicacy of expression.

Released in March 2004, the song drew wide attention as an insert track in the Fuji TV drama “1 Litre of Tears.” It’s a moving piece often performed at important gatherings—such as choirs and graduation ceremonies—where people come together.

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