RAG MusicSchool Festival
Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[2026] Let's Sing at the Chorus Competition! A Roundup of Recommended Western Songs

When it comes time to choose a piece for the chorus competition, I think many people are thinking, “We don’t want to overlap with other classes!” Since it’s a special competition, you want to pick songs that are uniquely yours and show a performance that stands out from the rest.

In times like that, singing Western music is highly recommended! So in this article, I’ll introduce lots of Western songs that are great for choral performances.

I’ve included not only timeless classics but also recent pop hits, so please use this as a reference when selecting your piece.

[2026] Try Singing at the Chorus Competition! Recommended Western Songs (1–10)

Steal The ShowNEW!Lauv

Lauv – Steal The Show (From “Elemental”)
Steal The ShowNEW!Lauv
Steal the Show (from Elemental) (SATB Choir) – Arranged by Audrey Snyder

Lauv, a singer-songwriter gaining attention in the indie-pop scene.

This song was released digitally in June 2023 as a track featured in the Disney & Pixar film “Elemental.” Linked to the world of the movie, it’s a mellow pop song that portrays the emotional wavering of characters drawn to each other.

At first glance, it may seem like a quiet piece, but its airy melody, when layered with the choir’s beautiful harmonies, will create an even richer resonance.

It’s a recommended number for those who want to conjure the film’s imagery and, in sync with their ensemble, perform refined chords.

Give it a try.

Try EverythingNEW!Shakira

Zootopia – Try Everything By Shakira (Music Video)
Try EverythingNEW!Shakira
Shakira – Try Everything | One Voice Children’s Choir | Kids Cover (Official Music Video)

That smash-hit number, well-known as a song from a Disney movie.

You might think, “Huh? A pop star’s song for a choir?” But don’t worry.

Sung by the queen of Latin music, Shakira, this piece is highly appealing for choral performance as well.

Its upbeat sound conveys a forward-looking theme of trying again and again without fearing failure.

Released as a single in January 2016, it’s included on the soundtrack Zootopia: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and plays during a scene about pursuing one’s dreams.

It’s recommended for those who want to energize the stage with bright, powerful harmonies.

Give it a try.

GoldenNEW!KPop Demon Hunters

“Golden” Official Lyric Video | KPop Demon Hunters | Sony Animation
GoldenNEW!KPop Demon Hunters
Golden (Netflix K-Pop Demon Hunters) | One Voice Children’s Choir (Official Music Video)

Golden offers a completely new musical experience that feels as if it’s leapt straight from the screen into reality.

The track was released in June 2025 from the soundtrack under the name Huntrix, the in-story group from the animated musical KPop Demon Hunters.

It was later released as a single, becoming a global smash hit that sparked major buzz.

Riding the driving force of electropop, its melody builds a soaring sense of uplift—pure anthem energy.

When you join voices with your crew to deliver its expansive chorus, the stage’s intensity will surge to an absolute peak.

This is a number you’ll want to tackle if you’re aiming to craft a dramatic, emotionally charged choral performance in true musical-theater fashion.

[2026] Try Singing at the Choir Contest! Recommended Western Songs (11–20)

The ClimbNEW!Miley Cyrus

The Climb (Miley Cyrus) | One Voice Children’s Choir cover

When it comes to iconic songs that teach us the importance of pushing forward through hardship, Miley Cyrus immediately comes to mind.

It may be surprising, but this piece is also highly compelling as a choral work.

It carries a strong message that the journey of working toward your dreams has meaning, and the piece’s brilliance can be conveyed fully with voices alone.

Released in March 2009, it was featured in the film Hannah Montana: The Movie and reached No.

4 on the U.S.

charts.

It’s a perfect choice for bringing everyone’s hearts together on the stage of a choir competition.

Consider performing it for graduations or moments before embarking on new challenges.

Story of My LifeNEW!One Direction

Chamber Choir: Story Of My Life

One Direction, the British group that captivated the world.

Their single “Story of My Life,” released in October 2013, is a work that symbolizes their steps toward adulthood.

Unveiled as a lead track from the album “Midnight Memories,” its folk-rock sound centered on acoustic guitar marked a shift from their previous pop direction.

The nostalgic lyrics, reflecting on enduring love and the passage of time, convey the weight of life.

The rich harmonies layered in the chorus would deliver overwhelming emotion even on a choral stage.

Choose this song when you want to sing about the journey of growth together with your friends.

Under the SeaNEW!Samuel E. Wright

Samuel E. Wright – Under the Sea (from The Little Mermaid) (Official Video)
Under the SeaNEW!Samuel E. Wright
Under the Sea (from “The Little Mermaid”) – National Taiwan University Chorus

This is a beloved classic song born from a masterpiece of Disney animation.

The vocals were performed by Samuel E.

Wright, who was active as both an actor and a voice actor.

Set to a cheerful calypso melody that celebrates the wonders of the sea, the song brims with playful wordplay and showcases the charm of its characters.

Known as a musical number from the 1989 film The Little Mermaid, which was released in November of that year, it also boasts the distinguished achievement of winning Best Original Song at the 62nd Academy Awards.

With its lively rhythm and warm, embracing vocals in delightful interplay, this piece is perfect for choir: bring it to the stage and the atmosphere will instantly turn festive.

Highly recommended for those who want to fill the venue with vibrant harmonies.

Be sure to check it out.

Never Grow UpNEW!Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift – Never Grow Up (Taylor’s Version) (Lyric Video)
Never Grow UpNEW!Taylor Swift
Never Grow Up (Taylor Swift) | One Voice Children’s Choir

Taylor Swift, the American singer-songwriter often called a musical chameleon.

“Never Grow Up,” included on her album Speak Now, is a ballad released in October 2010.

With gentle acoustic guitar and a whispering vocal, it tenderly wraps the anxieties of growing up and nostalgia for childhood.

Singing it at a milestone like a choral competition should make the lyric’s “cherishing of time that slips away” resonate even more deeply.

Even without flashy staging, simply layering voices quietly can create profound emotion.

For a cherished memory of school life, why not take on this song together with your whole class?