Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[March] Carefully selected popular songs recommended for entrance and exit at sports days and athletic festivals!

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 parade of classes and groups that kicks off sports days and athletic festivals.

In the past, classical pieces were the mainstay, but in recent years you often see entrance scenes on social media set to a wide range of music—from classic marches to popular J-pop.

In this article, we’ll introduce famous pieces originally composed as marches, as well as J-pop and anime songs arranged for marching.

If you can hum the melody but can’t recall the title, this might be your solution!

We hope you find the perfect track to energize those entrance and exit marches.

[March] Carefully selected popular songs recommended for entrances and exits at sports days and athletic meets (81–90)

March “Sky of Hope”Wada Makoto

March “Sky of Hope”

March “Sky of Hope”Wada Makoto

This piece was selected as the No.

4 set piece in 2012.

The composer, Shin Wada, reportedly studied under Masao Yabe, the composer of March April May, which was also a set piece in the 1993 competition and remains highly popular today.

For that reason, the opening section of this piece is said to quote March April May.

It features a lively, refreshing march-like character, making it well-suited not only for concerts but also for scenes where musicians actually march while performing.

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Artillery of HonorJohn Philip Sousa

[Wind Band] The Glorious Artillery (Auld Lang Syne March) — Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Eastern Army Band

Artillery of HonorJohn Philip Sousa

Also known by the alternate title “Auld Lang Syne March,” this piece was composed by John Philip Sousa, the so-called March King.

True to Sousa’s marching style, its bold, breezy melodic lines are striking, and in the middle of the piece it actually quotes the melody of “Auld Lang Syne.” Unlike the well-known version of “Auld Lang Syne,” this one is up-tempo and bright, making it a perfect fit for entrance processions at school sports days.

It’s a popular piece as a “hidden gem” that unexpectedly features a familiar tune, even though the piece itself isn’t widely known.

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A Trumpeter’s HolidayLeroy Anderson

A Trumpeter’s Holiday

A Trumpeter’s HolidayLeroy Anderson

For schools with a strong trumpet section, I’d love for you to try this piece, often called “The Trumpeter’s Holiday.” Despite being a “holiday” tune, it’s surprisingly brisk and quite challenging, so it’s often used as BGM for scenes like running at sports festivals.

It’s said to have been composed with the idea that army trumpeters, who have to play bugle calls for wake-up, lights-out, and other signals every day, would at least want to play something fun on their day off.

With its light, lively melody, it’s sure to liven up a sports day.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Grand MarchKonagaya Soichi

Grand March

Grand MarchKonagaya Soichi

Grand March is a march composed by Soichi Konagaya.

It was written in 1996 for a selected band in Shizuoka Prefecture and attracted attention after being published by De Haske in the Netherlands.

The piece opens with a brilliant trumpet fanfare, and when the lower voices of the trombones and horns join in, a majestic sonority unfolds.

True to Konagaya’s background as a percussion specialist, the percussion writing really shines in this piece.

It’s also perfect as an entrance march, so give it a try!

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The Wind of ProvenceTasaka Naoki

2015 All-Japan Band Competition Required Piece IV: March “Winds of Provence” / Naoki Tasaka

The Wind of ProvenceTasaka Naoki

A refreshing and dazzling wind band piece that brilliantly paints the landscapes of Spain and Provence in music.

Created by Naoki Tasaka, this work masterfully blends the passionate rhythms of Spain with the gentle melodies of Provence.

The world evoked by the bold brass fanfares and the graceful woodwind lines is sure to captivate listeners.

Selected as the required piece IV for the 2015 All-Japan Band Competition and performed by many ensembles, this work is an excellent choice not only for competitions but also for concert programs.

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OrangeSPYAIR

Orange / SPYAIR [Osaka Toin High School Wind Ensemble]

OrangeSPYAIR

A rousing cheer song filled with passion will hype up the sports day! This SPYAIR track was released in February 2024 as the theme song for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle: The Movie.

Its lyrics sing of the courage and hope to keep moving forward, paired with a melody that truly stirs the heart.

From the moment the intro starts, the kids’ excitement skyrockets! It’s the perfect song for entrance and exit marches.

Just listening to its powerful sound will boost everyone’s energy and make the memories of sports day even more unforgettable.

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[March] Carefully selected popular songs recommended for entering and exiting at sports days and athletic festivals! (91–100)

migratory bird[Alexandros]

Wataridori / [Alexandros]

migratory bird[Alexandros]

This is a song packed with a driving, exhilarating melody and a powerful message.

Released in June 2015, it has been featured in commercials and as theme music for TV programs, making it popular across a wide range of ages.

The lyrics liken young people striving to move forward through hardships to migratory birds, giving listeners a push from behind.

Using it for entrance marches at sports days and athletic festivals can lift participants’ spirits and foster a sense of unity.

It’s also recommended for anyone feeling anxious about the future.

Listen to this track, and you’ll surely find courage.

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