[Graduation Songs] Choral pieces perfect for singing at elementary school graduation ceremonies: A collection of moving classics
There are so many songs you’d love to sing at a graduation ceremony—classic choir pieces, songs you sang often during your school years—that it’s hard to choose just one, isn’t it? In this article, we introduce recommended songs for elementary school graduation ceremonies, focusing on choral works and popular J-pop graduation songs.
We’ve carefully selected pieces that are perfect for the moment of graduating—leaving behind the familiar elementary school and taking a new step forward.
As you look back on your memories, choose wonderful songs to brighten the children’s send-off!
- Choral Songs Sung at Elementary School Graduation Ceremonies: A Collection of Moving Song Ideas
- [Gratitude, Encouragement, Memories] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs You Can’t Listen to Without Crying [2026]
- [Great Lyrics!!] Recommended Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs with Heartfelt, Moving Words [2026]
- From classic choral pieces to popular J-pop! Moving songs you’ll want to sing at graduation ceremonies
- [For Graduates] Graduation Songs and Cheer Anthems to Convey Gratitude and Support
- [Touching] Entrance/Exit Songs for Graduation Ceremonies: Classics & the Latest BGM
- [2026] Graduate with a Smile! Recommended Uplifting Graduation Songs
- Songs we want to sing at the graduation ceremony! A special feature on moving, heart-touching preschool graduation songs
- A graduation song that's trending and popular on TikTok. A perfect track for memory videos.
- Tear-jerking classic graduation songs! Recommended tracks for graduation movie BGM
- They’ll give your new beginning a boost! Enrollment songs released in the Heisei era
- A farewell song for a dear friend—an uplifting graduation song that conveys heartfelt gratitude.
- [For Middle Schoolers] Recommended Classic Songs to Sing at Graduation Ceremonies
[Graduation Songs] Choir pieces to sing at elementary school graduation ceremonies. A collection of moving masterpieces (81–90)
Cherry blossom seasonEXILE
ATSUSHI from EXILE released “Sakura no Kisetsu” in 2015 as a graduation song dedicated to all graduates.
The song was also aired on NHK’s Minna no Uta, making it a graduation song known across generations.
Without “graduation,” spring is a cheerful, exciting season, isn’t it? But for those about to graduate, spring feels different—filled with the sadness of parting from friends and anxieties about a new life.
This song stays close to those feelings and makes you believe that someday you’ll meet everyone again with a smile.
YELL ~Cheer~Kobukuro
“YELL” is characterized by a melody that’s quintessentially Kobukuro.
It’s striking how it starts quietly and gradually builds into a powerful arrangement.
The lyrics aren’t about mourning a parting; instead, they’re positive and forward-looking, making it a great song to listen to when you’re feeling down.
In springKinoshita Makiko
The lyrics of Shuntaro Tanikawa—poet and picture-book author—deeply touch the heart.
His celebrated piece “In Spring,” often sung at graduation ceremonies, is gentle and tender, yet conveys a sense of strength.
The music is by Makiko Kinoshita.
Its melody and lyrics, brimming with the vibrant breath of spring, are perfect for young people about to leap into the future.
Graduates are full of both anxiety and expectation, with a touch of restlessness as well.
It seems to capture their state of mind.
That restlessness becomes energy.
Reaching the hearts of those setting out for new ground, it is a fitting song for graduation ceremonies.
Words of FarewellKaientai
It was Kaientai’s 16th single, released in November 1979.
The song served as the theme for the first season of the TV drama “Mr.
Kinpachi in Class 3B,” starring Kaientai’s Tetsuya Takeda himself.
Along with the drama’s success, the song became a huge hit, and at graduation ceremonies in 1980 it was sung at many elementary, junior high, and high schools.
The fact that it’s still a staple at graduation ceremonies is remarkable in the ever-volatile music industry.
I think both the lyrics and the melody are perfectly suited to the occasion of a graduation ceremony—gentle, tinged with nostalgia, and somehow encouraging.
I remember that at my own elementary school graduation, the moment this song started playing, tears began to stream down my face.
pupilŌhara Sakurako
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.
Graduation PhotoArai Yumi
As the seasons change and we welcome a time of new journeys, here’s a perfect song for graduation ceremonies! Released in 1975, “Sotsugyo Shashin” (Graduation Photo) is a beloved song by Yumi Arai that has stood the test of time.
It sings of the bittersweet feelings of youth—like wanting to express your feelings to someone special during graduation season, and the nostalgia everyone experiences.
With its simple structure and beautiful melody line, it’s highly recommended as a song to sing at elementary school graduation ceremonies.
And it’s the kind of wonderful song that, when you suddenly remember it 10 or 20 years later, lets you look back and think, “That’s how I felt back then.”
In conclusion
Have you found the song you want to sing at the elementary school graduation ceremony? Every one of these pieces is a classic that will heighten the emotion of the moment.
As a class, as a grade, and with everyone in the venue, let’s welcome an unforgettable graduation moment together with choral songs that resonate deep in the heart.