Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

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

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

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)

No OneAlicia Keys

NO ONE (Alicia Keys – Faith Mix) | TCWE Choir

No OneAlicia Keys

Alicia Keys – No One (Official Music Video)

A Grammy-winning song that captivates with rich R&B sounds, themed around true love brimming with poignancy and strength.

It’s a track from New York–born Alicia Keys’s acclaimed 2007 album “As I Am,” which spent five consecutive weeks at No.

1 in the U.S.

Featured as background music in the film “27 Dresses” and the TV series “Ugly Betty,” the song earned high praise for its powerful vocals.

Its distinctive blend of piano and Mellotron, paired with a heartfelt vocal performance filled with deep devotion for a loved one, resonates deeply.

Alicia Keys is also in the spotlight for headlining Summer Sonic 2025.

If you perform it as a chorus, the key is for everyone to convey that strong, united emotion.

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ZombieThe Cranberries

Choir! Choir! Choir! sings The Cranberries “Zombie”

ZombieThe Cranberries

The Cranberries – Zombie (Official Music Video)

This song, one of The Cranberries’ signature tracks, was created in response to a terrorist attack in the UK in 1993.

The heavy guitar riff and Dolores O’Riordan’s powerful, commanding vocals give the track a sense of intensity and tension.

Although its political message stirred controversy, it became a worldwide hit and resonated with many people as a timeless classic.

It’s also striking as a choral piece, and it’s a track that’s sure to move anyone who listens.

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Something Just Like ThisThe Chainsmokers & Coldplay

The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This (cover by COLOR MUSIC Choir)

Something Just Like ThisThe Chainsmokers & Coldplay

The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This (Official Lyric Video)

If you’re looking for a choral performance that stands out, “Something Just Like This” is the perfect choice.

The collaboration between The Chainsmokers and Coldplay blends electronic and rock to create a comfortably immersive sound.

The song’s message celebrates the beauty of being ordinary and conveys the importance of being yourself without needing any special powers.

The positive energy woven into the lyrics will resonate with the students singing and inspire courage and hope in the audience.

By stepping outside conventional boundaries and opening the door to a new genre, you’ll create a choral stage that’s truly unforgettable.

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Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses

Choir! Choir! Choir! sings Gn’R “Sweet Child O’ Mine”

Sweet Child O' MineGuns N' Roses

Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine (Official Music Video)

The love song, which begins with a powerful guitar riff and features a beautiful melody and a moving vocal performance, was released in June 1988 as a single from the 1987 album Appetite for Destruction.

For the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, this work became their first No.

1 hit in the United States, and it has been loved across generations, appearing in films such as Thor: Love and Thunder.

It was also performed during their Japan tour in May 2025, sending the venue into a frenzy.

Reimagined as a choral piece, it could reveal a new charm that harmonizes the raw energy of hard rock with the gentleness of a ballad.

Having the entire class sing it together would create a deeply moving, heartfelt stage.

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Golden HourJVKE

Golden Hour (JVKE) | One Voice Children’s Choir kids music cover in Shanghai, China

Golden HourJVKE

JVKE – golden hour (official music video)

This song is striking for its inventive soundscape, where the delicate beauty of chamber pop intertwines with sweeping strings.

Jake (JVKE), a singer-songwriter from Rhode Island, grew up immersed in music under the guidance of his mother, a music teacher, and his father, a pastor.

Featured on the album “this is what ____ feels like (Vol.

1–4),” the track was created in collaboration with his brother, Zac Lawson, and released in July 2022.

Its lyrics fantastically depict blissful moments with a lover, harmonizing beautifully with a grand, piano-centered arrangement.

While the piece demands powerful vocals and expressive delivery, its structure also shines as a choral work, allowing the beauty of the harmonies to stand out.

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