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

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!

Playlist

[Choral Music] Recommended for Middle Schoolers! A Collection of Moving Choral Works & Choral Arrangements
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastskySakushi: SKY-HI / Sakkyoku: UTA, LOAR, SKY-HI
skySakushi: SKY-HI / Sakkyoku: UTA, LOAR, SKY-HIplay_arrow
Junior high school music contest set piece, a song of young people’s hope
2east14-fourteen-Sakushi Sakkyoku: Yugeda Kensuke
14-fourteen-Sakushi Sakkyoku: Yugeda Kensukeplay_arrow
A gentle, moving choral piece that portrays the anxieties and hopes of middle schoolers in adolescence.
3eastspring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE
spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
Standing by your side in the spring season, where anxiety and anticipation intertwine...
4eastCorrectRADWIMPS
CorrectRADWIMPSplay_arrow
Produced within NHK’s “18 FES 2018”…
5eastPromise of SunflowersHata Motohiro
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiroplay_arrow
A moving masterpiece that depicts love and bonds
6eastSee?Sakushi: Itou Keiji/Sakki: Matsushita Kou
See?Sakushi: Itou Keiji/Sakki: Matsushita Kouplay_arrow
A heartwarming choral piece for disaster reconstruction support
7eastBelieveLyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi
Believe Composer/Lyricist: Sugimoto Ryūichiplay_arrow
A warm choral piece that sings of friendship and hope
8eastCOSMOSMimas
COSMOSMimasplay_arrow
A choral piece that lets you feel the grandeur of the cosmos, “COSMO…”
9eastDarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
A song that gently embraces the doubts and struggles of youth...
10eastLet’s search for tomorrowSakushi: Hori Tetsu sakushi, sakkyoku: Osawa Tetsunori
Let's search for tomorrowSakushi: Hori Tetsu sakushi, sakkyoku: Osawa Tetsunoriplay_arrow
One of the classic pieces for choir, ‘Let’s sear…’
11eastdeterminationSakushi: Kataoka Akira, Sakkyoku: Suzuki Norio
determinationSakushi: Kataoka Akira, Sakkyoku: Suzuki Norioplay_arrow
“Determination” was created by Akira Kataoka and Norio Suzuki...
12eastpresentSEKAI NO OWARI
presentSEKAI NO OWARIplay_arrow
The 82nd NHK National School Music Festival in 2015...
13easthorizonback number
horizonback numberplay_arrow
The 2020 All Japan High School Athletic Meet (Inter-High) ...
14eastMarch 9Remioromen
March 9Remioromenplay_arrow
An inspiring song that portrays gratitude and friendship toward someone special.
15eastMiracleGReeeeN
MiracleGReeeeNplay_arrow
GReeeeN’s “Kiseki” is a song about spending time together...
16eastBeyond the tearsShingu Auto
Beyond the tearsshingu・autoplay_arrow
A coming-of-age anthem that overcomes past sorrows and moves positively toward the future.
17eastto youMONGOL800
to youMONGOL800play_arrow
The rock band MONGOL800’s song…
18eastWasted wishesAKB48
Wasted wishesAKB48play_arrow
A magical piece with a Russian-style melody
19eastRiding a hot-air balloon, anywhere and everywhereSakushi: Azuma Tatsuo / Sakkyoku: Hirayoshi Takeyasu
Riding a hot-air balloon, anywhere and everywhereSakushi: Azuma Tatsuo / Sakkyoku: Hirayoshi Takeyasuplay_arrow
A heartfelt desire to “travel the vast sky by hot-air balloon”…
20eastBecause we are living beingsNagay Haruko
Because we are living beingsNagay Harukoplay_arrow
For the 2024 NHK School Choir Contest (N-Con), the required piece for the junior high school division is...
21eastBecause I want to be by your side.Miyazaki Asako
Because I want to be by your side.Miyazaki Asakoplay_arrow
"Because I Want to Be by Your Side" is a hugely popular girls' ...
22eastChessboardFujiwara Satoshi
ChessboardFujiwara Satoshiplay_arrow
“Chessboard” represents the diversity of life…
23eastUnchanging ThingsYamazaki Tomoko
Unchanging ThingsYamazaki Tomokoplay_arrow
Tomoko Yamazaki’s “Unchanging Things” is a junior high school...
24eastTo You — A Message for Your DepartureMasako Doi
To You — A Message for Your Departure Masako Doiplay_arrow
Lyrics written by Masako Tsutsui, released in 2006...
25eastSomewhere on this EarthSakushi: Miura Keiko, Sakkyoku: Wakamatsu Kan
Somewhere on this EarthSakushi: Miura Keiko, Sakkyoku: Wakamatsu Kanplay_arrow
Somewhere on this Earth is about the ever-changing sel…
26eastultramarineSakushi: Minamisōma Shiritsu Ogataka Chūgakkō Heisei Nijūyon Nendo Sotsugyōsei / Oda Miki / Sakkyoku: Nobunaga Takutomi
ultramarineSakushi: Minamisōma Shiritsu Ogataka Chūgakkō Heisei Nijūyon Nendo Sotsugyōsei / Oda Miki / Sakkyoku: Nobunaga Takutomiplay_arrow
We were separated because of the Great East Japan Earthquake...
27eastPrecious thingsYamazaki Tomoko
Precious thingsYamazaki Tomokoplay_arrow
Tomoko Yamazaki, known for her soothing and memorable melodies...
28eastLetter ~Dear fifteen-year-old you~Anjura Aki
Letter ~Dear fifteen-year-old you~Anjura Akiplay_arrow
A piece that is gradually becoming a new standard in choral music is An...
29eastBelievesakushi: tanikawa shuntarō, sakkyoku: matsushita kō
Believesakushi: tanikawa shuntarō, sakkyoku: matsushita kōplay_arrow
Poet Shuntaro Tanikawa wrote the lyrics, and Ko Matsushita…
30eastTo tomorrowTomioka Hiroshi
To tomorrowTomioka Hiroshiplay_arrow
A choral piece composed by a junior high school teacher. Comfortab...
31eastTime to Depart ~Asian Dream Song~sakushi: dorian suke kawa / sakkyoku: hisaishi jō
Time to Depart ~Asian Dream Song~sakushi: dorian suke kawa / sakkyoku: hisaishi jōplay_arrow
A song of hope and courage, a melody that resonates in the heart
32eastKitearashi
Kitearashiplay_arrow
A simple melodic line and beautiful harmon—
33eastEyes of the heartSakamoto Kyu
Eyes of the heartSakamoto Kyuplay_arrow
The late work that became the final piece by Kyu Sakamoto, a singer Japan is proud of, ...
34eastproofflumpool
proofflumpoolplay_arrow
The rock band flumpool at the 78th...
35eastThe Sea I Saw With YouWakamatsu Kan
The Sea I Saw With YouWakamatsu Kanplay_arrow
A song released in 1999, by Kan Wakamatsu...
36eastMy BalladMatsui Takao
My BalladMatsui Takaoplay_arrow
Composer Matsu…, who creates numerous effects and choral pieces…
37eastBridge of Gloryyuzu
Bridge of Gloryyuzuplay_arrow
Popular not only at choral competitions but also at graduation ceremonies…
38eastAbout meMrs. GREEN APPLE
About meMrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
Offer comfort and encouragement to those who carry anxiety and loneliness…
39eastYELLikimonogakari
YELLikimonogakariplay_arrow
Highly popular as a graduation song, a cheer for the future...
40eastTime Travelersakushi: Fukada Junko, sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shōji
Time Travelersakushi: Fukada Junko, sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shōjiplay_arrow
“The Time Traveler” is a work released in 1990, and...
41eastBlue BirdSakushi: Yasuoka Yuu / Sakkyoku: Kitayama Youichi
Blue BirdSakushi: Yasuoka Yuu / Sakkyoku: Kitayama Youichiplay_arrow
The vocal group, The Gospellers, are also singing...
42eastPrecious thingssakushi sakkyoku: Yamazaki Tomoko
Precious thingssakushi sakkyoku: Yamazaki Tomokoplay_arrow
A moving choral piece that conveys the importance of friendship
43eastroad; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE
road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILEplay_arrow
EXIE’s popular song “Michi” is perfect for a chorus...
44eastrainbowNaotaro Moriyama · Kaito Okachimachi
rainbowMoriyama Naotaro・Okachimachi Kaitoplay_arrow
It's a song where the back-and-forth between the parts feels really good to sing...
45eastBallad of the MonstersTōkairin Osamu
Ballad of the MonstersTōkairin Osamuplay_arrow
The music program broadcast on NHK in 1972, “...
46eastLove’s Form feat. HIDEMISIA
Love's Form feat. HIDEMISIAplay_arrow
The theme song of “Stepmom and Daughter Blues,” a moving love song
47eastCaribbean Dream JourneySakushi: Hirano Yukari, Sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shōji
Caribbean Dream JourneySakushi: Hirano Yukari, Sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shōjiplay_arrow
A national in-school choir competition chosen by music teachers across the country…
48eastChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism
ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
An O that likens the grand scheme of life to a chessboard...
49easteverythingSakushi: Sakura Momoko / Sakkyoku: Aizawa Naoto
everythingSakushi: Sakura Momoko / Sakkyoku: Aizawa Naotoplay_arrow
A heartwarming song that portrays the pure hearts of children.
50eastskySKY-HI
skySKY-HIplay_arrow
Gently embracing the various anxieties and conflicts of adolescence…
51eastSomeday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster
Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monsterplay_arrow
A moving song that supports people pursuing their dreams
52eastA Little Love SongMONGOL800
A Little Love SongMONGOL800play_arrow
My honest feelings for the person I like, and the small moments of everyday life...
53eastrainbowMoriyama Naotaro
rainbowMoriyama Naotaroplay_arrow
A timeless song that sings of life's joys and sorrows
54eastfight!YUI
fight!YUIplay_arrow
Singer-songwriter YUI has 2...
55eastswallowYOASOBI
swallowYOASOBIplay_arrow
A rare tale woven together with the pure singing voices of children…
56eastSong of Fresh Green Leaves
Song of Fresh Green Leavesplay_arrow
Perfect for the whole class to speak in unison...
57eastReplaySakushi: Kitamura Takumi, Sakkyoku: Nishio Yoshihiko & DISH//
ReplaySakushi: Kitamura Takumi, Sakkyoku: Nishio Yoshihiko & DISH//play_arrow
The 89th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition required piece…
58eastthe world of dreamsSakushi: Furō Akiko, Sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shōji
the world of dreamsSakushi: Furō Akiko, Sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shōjiplay_arrow
The choral piece “Dream …” that evokes the beginning of new days
59eastThe day called tomorrowSakushi: Yamamoto Yōko, Sakkyoku: Yagisawa Takashi
The day called tomorrowSakushi: Yamamoto Yōko, Sakkyoku: Yagisawa Takashiplay_arrow
In 2006, famous as a composer of wind band music…
60eastultramarineYOASOBI
ultramarineYOASOBIplay_arrow
If you don't want your song choice to overlap with others, go with the latest tracks so other clu…
61eastHymn to the EarthSakushi: Oki Atsuo, Sakkyoku: Satō Makoto
Hymn to the EarthSakushi: Oki Atsuo, Sakkyoku: Satō Makotoplay_arrow
Composed as the final movement of the cantata “Song of the Earth”...
62eastI should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu
I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsuplay_arrow
An excerpt from one of the signature songs by Spitz, the beloved national rock band…
63eastGiftsSuperfly
GiftsSuperflyplay_arrow
The 85th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition, Junior High…
64eastFateOfisharu Higedan Dism
FateOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
The song by Of… that was the high school baseball cheer song in 2019
65eastPlease give me wingsSakushi: Yamagami Michio, Sakkyoku: Murai Kunihiko
Please give me wingsSakushi: Yamagami Michio, Sakkyoku: Murai Kunihikoplay_arrow
Hasn't everyone sung it at least once...?
66eastTo the EarthLyrics and Composition: Hanzaki Yoshiko
To the EarthComposer · Composition: Hanzaki Yoshikoplay_arrow
Yoshiko Hanzaki’s heartwarming song that sings of love for the Earth
67eastTo the futureNobunaga Taketomi
To the futureNobunaga Taketomiplay_arrow
Lyrics by Shuntaro Tanikawa, music by Takafumi Nobunaga…
68eastflameLiSA
flameLiSAplay_arrow
It became a historic blockbuster in 2020 and sparked a social phenomenon...
69eastknot; tie; bind; concludemiwa
knot; tie; bind; concludemiwaplay_arrow
A heartwarming song that portrays connections between people
70eastTo the futureKiroro
To the futureKiroroplay_arrow
A song of gratitude and hope for my mother, a timeless piece that resonates in the heart
71eastOyashirazu Ko ShirazuIwakawa Saburō
Oyashirazu Ko ShirazuIwakawa Saburōplay_arrow
For those who are looking for a distinctive choral piece…
72eastpremonitionSakushi: Kataoka Akira, Sakkyoku: Okuma Takako
premonitionSakushi: Kataoka Akira, Sakkyoku: Okuma Takakoplay_arrow
The NHK All-Japan School Music ... held in 2002
73eastGreen GreenThe New Christy Minstrels
Green GreenThe New Christy Minstrelsplay_arrow
The American folk group, New Cri...
74eastAldebaranAI
AldebaranAIplay_arrow
NHK's serialized TV drama series 'Come Come Everybody...'
75eastpaprikaFoorin
paprikaFoorinplay_arrow
Its popularity has been steadily rising since around 2018...
76eastBecome a flowerLyrics: Ikuya Sashida ・ jam / Composition: Ikuya Sashida ・ Toshiyuki Mori
Become a flower Lyrics: Ikuya Sashida, jam / Composition: Ikuya Sashida, Toshiyuki Moriplay_arrow
A transparent-feeling ballad and a warm piano piece
77eastBoyhoodInoue Yosui
BoyhoodInoue Yosuiplay_arrow
Mr. Yosui Inoue, who will likely keep on singing forever...
78eastcherrysupittsu
cherrysupittsuplay_arrow
If you want to set yourself apart from other classes with an element of surprise, then 1…
79eastGraduation PhotoMatsutōya Yumi
Graduation PhotoMatsutōya Yumiplay_arrow
Speaking of classic graduation songs, Yumi Matsutoya…
80eastShining in my heart
Shining in my heartplay_arrow
A choral piece I’d really like you to sing at the graduation ceremony dates back to 199…
81eastMoldauSakushi: Iwakawa Saburō, Sakkyoku: Bedorujia Smetana
MoldauSakushi: Iwakawa Saburō, Sakkyoku: Bedorujia Smetanaplay_arrow
Bedřich Smetana’s composition “Má vlast” (My Fatherland)…
82eastAs many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE
As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
DREAMS, a song about the strength to rise again and again…
83eastCherry Blossom RainHatsune Miku
Cherry Blossom RainHatsune Mikuplay_arrow
A graduation song for the season when cherry blossoms dance
84eastJourneyFuji Kaze
JourneyFuji Kazeplay_arrow
A Fujii Kaze song that gently portrays the journey of life
85eastfootprint(s)Little Glee Monster
footprint(s)Little Glee Monster
The 87th NHK All-Japan School Music Co... in 2020
86eastCheer of StarlightGReeeeN
Cheer of StarlightGReeeeNplay_arrow
A heartwarming cheer song that celebrates life and friendship
87eastfutureKobukuro
futureKobukuroplay_arrow
It was chosen as the theme song for the movie “orange”…
88eastYour name is hopeNogizaka 46
Your name is hopeNogizaka 46play_arrow
Nogizaka46’s 5th single in 2013…
89eastbudKobukuro
budKobukuroplay_arrow
Kobukuro’s heartwarming classic that portrays the bond with his mother
90eastFlowers will bloom.hana wa saku purojekuto
Flowers will bloom.hana wa saku purojekutoplay_arrow
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, in order to support the reconstruction, they pro...
91eastMysteries of the Sea
Mysteries of the Seaplay_arrow
The 1989 NHK National School Music Competition...
92eastU&ISakushi sakkyoku: Wakamatsu Kan
U&ISakushi sakkyoku: Wakamatsu Kanplay_arrow
A choral piece with gentle melody and lyrics
93eastTo the futuresakushi: tanikawa shuntarō/ sakkyoku: nobunaga takatomi
To the futuresakushi: tanikawa shuntarō/ sakkyoku: nobunaga takatomiplay_arrow
A serene yet powerful melody resonates in the heart…
94eastPeace on EarthSakushi: Tsurumi Masao / Sakkyoku: Ogikubo Kazuaki
Peace on EarthSakushi: Tsurumi Masao / Sakkyoku: Ogikubo Kazuakiplay_arrow
An inspiring choral piece filled with prayers for peace
95eastCome, spring.Matsutōya Yumi
Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumiplay_arrow
Gently embracing nostalgic memories and a bittersweet farewell…
96eastKanadeSukima Suichi
KanadeSukima Suichi
A moving classic that embraces encounters and farewells
97eastI want to become the wind.THE BOOM
I want to become the wind.THE BOOMplay_arrow
A classic that sings of joy and freedom through samba rhythm.
98eastLet me have that wonderful love once moreKato Kazuhiko
Let me have that wonderful love once moreKato Kazuhikoplay_arrow
Written by Osamu Kitayama, who is also well known for choral arrangements…
99eastDepartureMatsushita Kou
DepartureMatsushita Kouplay_arrow
A song that sings about the conflicts and uncertainties of adolescence