I want to sing it at the senior class recital! A choral piece that 5-year-olds can sing with all their heart

Go! First-Year StudentsLyrics/Music: Kanako Miura

Advance! First Graders (Graduation Song)

This is a bright graduation-from-kindergarten song created by Kanako Miura.

It expresses the excitement and anxiety of children entering elementary school in a positive way with an upbeat, lively melody.

The lyrics convey children’s honest feelings—“When I become a first grader, I want to make lots of friends!”—filling listeners with a sense of eager anticipation for a new environment.

Frequently used at graduation ceremonies and pre-enrollment events, this song is perfect for celebrating children’s new beginnings.

With themes that spark the joy of playing with friends and a spirit of adventure, it brims with hope for the school life that lies ahead.

Singing it together with children can help make the start of their elementary school journey a fun and cheerful experience.

The Root of the HeartLyrics/Music: Minami Yume

♪ The Roots of the Heart – Before I knew it, you had grown; before I knew it, the tears had stopped ~ ♪ <Graduation song / Preschool graduation song>

Nanmumi’s songs gently portray children’s growth and change.

The lyrics depict how everyday little changes and encounters take root in the heart, bringing warmth to listeners.

They are often sung at graduation ceremonies and at occasions celebrating growth, and listening to them warms the heart.

It’s also nice that beginner-level sheet music is available so even teachers who aren’t confident on the piano can play.

This work sings of the bonds with friends who spent time together and the anticipation of new encounters to come, making it a perfect song for older kindergarteners.

you knowNagasō Yōko

“Ne” — A heartwarming song sung by older boys and girls. A popular piece for nursery school and kindergarten recitals and graduation ceremonies. Lyrics and composition by Hayumi Takahashi.

“Ne” is a very popular song for graduation ceremonies at nursery and kindergarten.

It’s a heartwarming piece that sings about the wish to stay close friends no matter how many years go by.

Think of all the friends you spent time with until graduation—the ones who worked hard with you at events, the ones who helped you when you were in trouble, and even the ones you sometimes argued with—as you sing.

Although it’s a graduation song, it’s not a sad one; it carries gentle feelings for friends on a pop melody, so it’s perfect for singing at a graduation ceremony with a bright, cheerful mood.

Your voiceDaisuke Yokoyama / Takumi Mitani

[Children's song] Your Voice

“Kimi no Koe,” a song long loved and continually sung on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho, features lyrics that express the love parents want to convey to their children and a gently heartwarming melody, making it a great choice for recitals and graduation ceremonies.

Its message—that both high and low voices are each wonderful, and when they come together they create beautiful harmony—also resonates deeply.

It’s not only about love from parent to child; it also embodies affection and gratitude toward friends, so it would likely be well received at thank-you gatherings as well.

BELIVELyrics/Composition: Ryuichi Sugimoto

Preschoolers singing “Believe” in sign language

The song written and composed by Ryuichi Sugimoto is a wonderful choral piece themed around hope for the future and the bonds between friends.

Its lyrics depict overcoming hardships and turning them into joy, carrying many messages that resonate with children.

Since it was released in 1998 as the ending theme of an NHK program, it has been widely sung at school choir competitions and graduation ceremonies.

Why not try singing it with sign language at your recital or preschool graduation?

Friends are a good thing.Lyrics by Tokiko Iwatani / Music by Takashi Miki

Friends Are a Good Thing (Piano Accompaniment Version) – Vocals: NEUTRINO (With Lyrics)

“Tomodachi wa Ii Monda” is a song that lets you once again feel just how wonderful friends truly are.

It was composed by Takashi Miki, who also wrote the music for the hugely popular Anpanman songs “Anpanman March” and “Yūki Rinrin.” Set to a very gentle melody, the lyrics express the idea that friends are precious beings who can support each other anytime, anywhere.

It’s a perfect song not only for everyday singing time, but also for graduation ceremonies.

For children who feel sad about parting from their friends at graduation, singing this song with all their hearts can help them think, “Everyone else is doing their best, so I’ll do my best too.”

Time for an adventure!Akiko Wada

Now for an Adventure - I Tried Singing It [Akiko Wada] [Ponkickies]

This song, “Saa Bouken da,” is known as an insert song from the children’s program Ponkikkies.

It sings about the spirit of taking on new challenges and the determination to keep going even when things are tough.

By the time children turn five, they become the eldest in their kindergarten and will be starting elementary school the following year.

They likely face more moments than younger children when they want to be brave and do their best.

In those times, we’d love for them to listen to and sing this song.

With its gentle feel, it’s also perfect for graduation ceremonies.