Ranking of Popular Choral Songs [2026]

To You — A Message for Your DepartureSakushi Sakkyoku: Tsutsui Masako64rank/position

[High Quality Audio] To You: A Message for Your Departure

Masako Tsutsui, an elementary school teacher, created “To You—A Message for Your Departure” for her graduating students.

It is one of the pieces in the mixed-chorus suite Goddess of Time.

The lyrics carry a powerful message: no matter how difficult life may become, the experiences you gained during your school years will surely support you.

From the middle of the piece, the melody moves forward with a syncopated rhythm, so it’s important not to lose track of the beat.

Feel the flow well as you sing.

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SAKI

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pupilŌhara Sakurako65rank/position

Sakurako Ohara – Hitomi (Music Video Short ver.)

Hitomi by Sakurako Ohara, a singer known for her expansive, refreshing vocals, is a standout track.

Produced by Seiji Kameda, it was released in 2015 as her second single.

The song also served as the theme for the 93rd All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.

It’s a perfect number for looking back on cherished memories—listening to the lyrics, you’ll likely find yourself thinking, “That’s exactly how I feel,” as various moments come flooding back.

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utatane

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Let’s hold handsMakihara Noriyuki66rank/position

Song: “Let’s Hold Hands” … 4-year-olds (Kiku Class)

This song is a warm and gentle piece that stays close to children’s hearts.

The lyrics are simple yet deeply meaningful, softly reminding us of the importance of holding hands.

Born from efforts to support recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the song was released in 2011 and resonated with many people.

Designed so children can sing it easily, it’s perfect for events at nurseries and kindergartens, as well as for everyday childcare.

If everyone holds hands and sings together, it will surely become a wonderful time filled with smiles.

If I put it into wordsGosuperāzu67rank/position

If I put it into words

Gospellers’ “Kotoba ni Sureba” evokes a future that continues brightly without end.

Released in 2007 as a double A-side single alongside “It Still Matters—Ai wa Nemuranai,” this song was produced as the set piece for the high school division of the 2007 NHK National School Music Competition.

Its beautiful melody has a wide key range, with the soprano parts in particular demanding quite high notes—one of the challenging aspects.

Moreover, despite its driving melodic momentum, it isn’t enough to simply sing with power; a high level of expressive skill is also required.

While there are many difficult points, it’s a song that delivers a strong sense of accomplishment when you see it through to the end.

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HikariSakushi: Seto Saori / Sakkyoku: Matsushita Kou68rank/position

[Choral Piece] Hikari (Light) / Mixed Three-Part Chorus [With Lyrics]

Hikari captivates with a grand worldview that feels like watching a scene from a musical.

It was created using a poem selected as an outstanding work for the 70th anniversary of the NHK National School Music Competition.

Both the lyrics and the melody depict light gradually emerging from total darkness.

Two major points are how to portray this sense of transition and how to develop a solid understanding of 6/8 time in order to sing the meter and rhythms accurately.

With that foundation, try singing while fully immersing yourself in the world of the piece!

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WINDING ROADAyaka × Kobukuro69rank/position

WINDING ROAD (Mixed Chorus, 4 Parts)

A collaboration song by Ayaka and Kobukuro.

It’s a lively call-and-response piece and is often performed as a choral number.

Because the shuffle rhythm is challenging not only for the singers but also for the accompanying piano, it can be considered a song suited for high school students.

It’s a number that gives you a push, saying, “There’s always light at the end of any road, so keep moving forward!” The key to performing this piece is for both male and female singers to sing with rich expression and a sense of joy.

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JourneyFuji Kaze70rank/position

Fujii Kaze – Tabiji (Official Video)

In March 2021, Fujii Kaze performed this number as a piano-and-vocal piece on TV Asahi’s “Hodo Station” for graduating students across the country, and it became a big talking point.

Written as the theme song for the drama “Nijiiro Karte,” the piece features a soulful arrangement and the warm tone of a Wurlitzer.

Comparing life to a long journey, it conveys feelings for companions who continue learning together while forgiving the mistakes of youth.

The message—that it’s precisely because things end that we can cherish each day—is sure to resonate with junior high school students facing the milestone of graduation.

The lyrics, which give you the courage to step into the future even as you look back on the past, are perfect for a graduation ceremony celebrating a new beginning.

Singing it while remembering the time spent with classmates will make it an unforgettable, moving memory.