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

Umillennium parade

Kyoto Tachibana High School Band – Belle (Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime): “U” and “Sling Shot” – Reiwa 3 (2021) Bonds of the Heart Concert – Kyoto Tachibana SHS Band

This song was produced in 2021 as the main theme for the film “Belle.” It also drew attention for being produced by Daiki Tsuneta, who is active as a member of the rock band King Gnu.

With its cool opening drum march, many listeners likely thought from the first time they heard it that it would be great for marching performances.

The piece features a powerful yet flowing melody throughout, making it an excellent fit for wind instrument ensembles as well.

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Hane Keisuke

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Festive MarchDan Ikuma

Ikuma Dan / Festive March

This piece was composed in 1959 by the Japanese composer Ikuma Dan to celebrate the marriage of then-Crown Prince Akihito and Michiko Shoda.

It is one of the representative marches of postwar Japan, and the glamorous wedding parade likely brightened the nation at the time.

Ikuma Dan, the composer, was a multi-talented figure also known as an essayist.

If this piece is performed at a school sports day, I believe it would be enjoyed by elderly people who remember that era and could foster interaction across generations.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Young powerShinichi Takada

[Sports Day] Young Power (for marching)

This piece was composed as a theme for the National Sports Festival of Japan, known as the Kokutai.

The composer is Shinichi Takada, a musician who also served as a conductor with ensembles such as the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

It has long been a popular BGM choice for sports days, so many listeners will likely find it familiar.

It’s truly a classic among marches.

As you listen, you can almost picture yourself walking with your chest held high.

There’s also a sung version with lyrics by Takao Saeki, so if you’re interested, be sure to look it up.

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Araki Jakkan

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Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy

Kaiju no Hanauta / Vaundy [Osaka Toin Wind Ensemble]

This song set records such as surpassing 49 million views on its official YouTube music video and exceeding 300 million total streams, making Vaundy a household name.

Its bittersweet lyrics and catchy melody are especially memorable.

Released in May 2020, the track was also used as the CM song for Maruha Nichiro’s WILDish series “For Us” campaign.

Because the melody’s range isn’t very wide and the rhythm is simple, it’s relatively easy to perform in marching band or concert band arrangements.

March “Patriotism”Saitō Ushimatsu

March “Patriotism” / Patriotic March

This march, with a powerful wind band melody ringing out, was composed by Ushimatsu Saito in December 1937 for the Navy Band.

Its dignified, weighty atmosphere and the solemn lyrical melody of the middle section are beautifully balanced, and its high level of craftsmanship led to its selection as an official piece jointly adopted by the Navy and Army.

An SP record was released at the time by Polydor, featuring a performance by the Imperial Japanese Navy Band under the baton of Seigo Naitō.

From the wartime period through the postwar years, it was widely performed at ceremonies and events throughout the Asia-Pacific region and became familiar to local audiences in places like Indonesia and Palau.

The trio section incorporates Tokichi Setoguchi’s nationally beloved song “Aikoku Koshinkyoku” (Patriotic March), the composer also known for “Gunkan March.” This is a must-hear for those who wish to savor the rich sonorities and solemn melodic beauty of wind band music, as well as for anyone interested in the history of Japanese military music.

Radetzky MarchJohann Strauss

"Concert Band March" Radetzky March / Johann Strauss I

This piece was composed by Johann Strauss I, and since it’s one of the most famous works in classical music, almost everyone has probably heard it.

It was written in honor of Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky, who led the Austrian army and suppressed the independence movement in northern Italy during the Revolutions of 1848.

The piece became extremely popular among the public at the time and is said to have boosted the morale of the government forces.

It’s also a perfect choice for the opening of a sports day, sure to heighten the excitement.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Don’t give upZARD

“Wind Ensemble Hits” Don’t Give Up / ZARD

This is ZARD’s biggest hit, the song that boosted their recognition and popularity, and it remains a beloved classic across generations.

In 1994, it was chosen as the entrance march for the 66th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, and during Nippon TV’s 24-Hour Television charity marathon, the group sing-along near the finish line has become a tradition.

Just hearing it lifts your spirits—perfect for a grand entrance at sports days and athletic festivals.