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

Tokyo Olympic MarchKoseki Yūji

Tokyo Olympic March with Fanfare, 1964

In October 1964, when a stately march resounded through the National Stadium, the piece composed by Yuji Koseki became a pivotal work that colored the first Olympic Games ever held in Asia.

Its elegant yet powerful brass sound and vibrant rhythm not only enlivened the athletes’ entrance but also stood as a symbol to the world of Japan’s postwar recovery.

Brimming with brightness and splendor befitting a festival of peace and youth, the work offers a melody of hope that only a composer who had lived through war could express.

It is truly a piece you’d want to use for a sports day opening ceremony or entrance parade—an elevated, dignified march perfect for highlighting children’s big moment on stage.

March “Sky of Hope”Wada Makoto

March “Sky of Hope”

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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Hane Keisuke

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Ceremonial MarchSakai Takasuke

Ceremonial March / Takamasa Sakai — Kobe College Department of Music Wind Orchestra (Conductor: Satoshi Yagisawa)

Opening with a brilliant fanfare, this masterpiece features a powerful, dynamic performance that stirs the heart.

One of Takamasa Sakai’s signature works, it received the Shitaya Prize from the Japan Band Directors Association in 2000, and was selected as a set piece for the Central Japan Band Competition in 2005 and 2006.

With its majestic atmosphere—often chosen as a concert opener—why not use this piece to grace the opening of your sports day?

March “Beyond the K-Point”Takahashi Shinya

March “Beyond the K-Point” — Composer: Shinya Takahashi; Performance: Tokyo Ryusei Wind Orchestra; Conductor: Takao Hatakeda

A passionate and powerful wind band march adds vibrant color to any sports day.

Composed by Shinya Takahashi in 1999 as a set piece for the All Japan Band Competition, this work is named after the K-point in ski jumping.

Its charm lies in a bright, lively melody interwoven with modern harmonies that create a rich, resonant sound.

You can enjoy a commanding performance of this piece on the album “All Japan Band Competition: Reference Performances of Set Pieces 1997–1999,” recorded by the Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band (now the Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra) as a reference rendition.

From scenes of vigorous marching to the opening of the ceremony, this is a piece that shines in every moment of a sports day.

Just listening to it straightens your posture and gives you a refreshing urge to step forward—perfectly suited to the spirit of the event.

Sports MarchMayuzumi Toshirō

Sports March / Toshiro Mayuzumi — Nippon TV sports program theme song

This is a march for orchestra known as a landmark masterpiece that blazed a new trail, distinguished by its powerful, dynamic melody.

Composed by Toshiro Mayuzumi in 1953 at the request of Nippon Television, the work is a wonderful piece that evokes a bright, forward-looking spirit.

Its brilliant trumpet sonorities and exhilarating rhythms lift the heart.

It has been a mainstay on Nippon Television’s sports programs, boasting a track record of use across numerous shows, including professional wrestling broadcasts, professional baseball night games, and the Hakone Ekiden.

It is truly a piece that has walked alongside the history of sports broadcasting in Japan.

It’s a perfect choice when you want to energize a school sports day or athletic event, or when you simply need a boost.

Artillery of HonorJohn Philip Sousa

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

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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Hane Keisuke

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A Trumpeter’s HolidayLeroy Anderson

A Trumpeter’s Holiday

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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