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 These at Your Choir Competition! Recommended Western Songs (21–30)

SingCarpenters

Sing (The Carpenters) — LIVE | Fermata Children’s Choir & Orchestra | Guillermo Freijido

SingCarpenters

The Carpenters are a duo who gained popularity with orthodox pop music.

While they were active worldwide, they were especially successful in Japan, producing numerous hit songs.

Among their works, the track we recommend for choir competitions is Sing.

Since the original song incorporates choral elements, it pairs exceptionally well with choir performance.

The more harmonies there are, the more powerful it becomes, so we encourage you to try it with a large ensemble.

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TomorrowCharles Strouse

The PS28 Junior Choir – “Tomorrow” (Strouse/ Charnin)

TomorrowCharles Strouse

It’s a signature song from the musical Annie.

It’s been adapted into films multiple times and released in many cover versions, so many people are likely familiar with it.

Annie, who grew up in an orphanage, sings it when she feels sad, expressing hope for tomorrow.

It’s a beloved classic around the world that can make you feel happy.

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Bohemian RhapsodyQueen

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)

Bohemian RhapsodyQueen

Released in 2018, the film Bohemian Rhapsody brought the story of the legendary rock band QUEEN to the screen.

It became popular across a wide range of audiences, not just QUEEN fans, so many people likely remember it well.

The song Bohemian Rhapsody, which also serves as the film’s title, has an operatic style, making it a perfect fit for choral competitions.

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Hail Holy QueenDeloris & The Sisters

Sister Act – Hail Holy Queen (Hi Def)

Hail Holy QueenDeloris & The Sisters

This is a song that became instantly famous thanks to the movie “Sister Act.” It’s one of the Christian hymns, a mixed chorus piece in both English and Latin.

It’s also well-known as an antiphonal work, sung by dividing the choir into two groups.

How about adding choreography and handclaps like in the movie?

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Seasons of LoveJonathan Larson

Seasons of Love (HD)

Seasons of LoveJonathan Larson

This is a signature song from the musical Rent.

It was used in a commercial in Japan, so many people are probably familiar with it.

While you’ll want to pay attention to the quality of the solo parts, the ensemble sections should gain power if you approach them with a gospel feel.

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