Orchestras and Choirs in Japanese Schools

In all Japanese schools, whether public or private, there is an annual choir where all students usually participate and sing, generally one song per class. In this article, we will talk a little about orchestras and choirs in Japanese schools.

Japanese schools are filled with cultural activities involving students such as artistic works, research, choir presentations, concerts, theater, and others. Not to mention the school clubs that also encompass these activities.

It is not necessary to be in a singing or choir club to participate in the choirs that usually take place in Japanese schools. All students in each class are encouraged and prepared months in advance to present a singing performance.

You may have already seen these situations in anime, where students prepare months in advance. Usually, there is a competition between classes and sometimes even interschool.

Every year, important national competitions are organized to elect the best orchestra or choir. This allows students to feel motivated in terms of practicing their singing or instrument, with the goal of defending their school’s honor.

The choir groups in schools are called gasshoudan [合唱団]. In the West, we have a strong connection of choirs in churches, when the choir refers to something religious, it is called seikatai [聖歌隊].

What are the benefits of choir in Japanese schools?

Japanese classical singing generally has a much more positive effect than popular music among young people today. From an early age, Japanese children are encouraged to appreciate the true art of classical music and singing.

Music in Japanese schools is as important as mathematics. Since the Meiji era, the study of music in Japanese culture has become mandatory in primary and secondary education.

At just 6 years old, Japanese children can already be encouraged to participate in a choir or learn a musical instrument. Children have at least an hour and a half of music class per week.

These orchestras and choirs also help students have social interaction; they are encouraged to work as a group. They work together to create a performance as a whole and are judged as a whole.

Students participate regardless of whether they like or know how to sing. All this work results in cooperation, teamwork, and discipline. Skills that the Japanese carry throughout their lives.

The Voice of Japan

In the past, there was a social and political movement that likely influenced the popularization of choirs in schools. The movement “Voice of Japan” in Japanese nihon no utagoe [日本歌声].

This movement carried an ideology of communism and democratic socialism, providing musical and choral activities throughout Japan in factories, schools, and residential areas focused on the working class.

The movement peaked from 1950 to 1960 and had the support of Japanese singer Akiko Seki, considered the founder of the Voice of Japan movement. With the growing capitalism dominating Japan, the movement’s objective lost its strength but continues to promote choirs throughout the country.

Of course, the Voice of Japan is not the only movement or group focused on organizing school events for orchestras and choirs across Japan. In 1927, Kosuke Komatsu, who had returned from France, founded the “National Music Association,” which later became the “Japanese Choir Association,” the largest in the country.

The JCA is responsible for promoting choir in Japan in elementary, middle, and higher education schools, as well as in factories, companies, and private groups. It is believed that there are more than 30,000 choir bands spread throughout Japan.

There is also the All-Japan Band Association, an organization responsible for the band and orchestra competitions that take place across the country. It is estimated that there are more than 14,000 school bands and orchestras in the AJBA.

The Orchestras and Choirs in Japanese Schools

We have already observed the influence and importance of choirs and orchestras in Japanese culture. You are also aware of how the Japanese appreciate this type of music and strive to spread this art in society.

There are many popular songs that are sung in choirs or orchestras, especially at Japanese school graduations. You may have heard the song “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” or “3gatsu 9ka” which played in the drama “One Liter of Tears.”

In addition to these popular songs, we can list:

• “Sotsugyou Shashin” by Yumi Matsutoya
• “Okuru Kotoba (Presenting Word)” by Kaien-tai
• “Sakura (Cherry Blossom)” by Naotaro Moriyama
• “my graduation” by SPEED
• “Tabidachi no hi ni (The Day of Departure)” a chorus song
• “Sotsugyou” by Yutaka Ozaki;
• “Sakura (Cherry Blossom)” by Kobukuro
• “Michi” by EXILE
• “YELL” by Ikimono-Gakari

Choirs and orchestras in Japanese schools can occur in competitions, graduations, cultural events, school events, and even outside of schools. We notice that the influence of choirs and orchestras is strong throughout Japan.

Even in J-POP songs or among idols, we see a great cooperation, classical instruments, and group choir. It is interesting how popular music mixes with classical music and Japanese and Western choirs.

Have you ever had the chance to participate in a choir in a Japanese school? Do you have any curiosities or additional information to share? We appreciate your comments and shares.