Favorite Songs for Elementary Choir

If you're looking for some song ideas to use with your elementary chorus, today I'm sharing some of my favorites! I've shared some of my favorite pop songs I've arranged for my elementary choirs in previous posts (look for that link below) so this post will focus on choral pieces.

I have taught elementary choir for many years in all different formats, age groups, schedules, and ability ranges, and I definitely have found some pieces that have been successful time and time again. Of course there are no magic songs that are perfect for every elementary choir, so you'll want to consider which ones of the list below are the best fit for the group you have from year to year, but these are all pieces I have done over the years and have worked well. 

I've split my list up into songs I've done for winter concerts and songs I've done for spring concerts, but keep in mind there are many songs on this list that would work any time of year and often, I have done them in multiple different times of year myself- in those cases I just added them to one or the other, so be sure to look through the whole list regardless of what time of year your program will be.

Winter Concert Songs

• "Winter Is Coming" from "Songs for the Winter" 
• "Here Comes the Snow" from "Songs for the Winter" 
• "Gong Xi" arr. Lily Lung Grant
• "A La Puerta del Cielo" arr. Ruth Elaine Schram (2-part)
• "Hot Chocolate" (from Polar Express) arr. Roger Emerson (2-part)
• "Sing" by Pinkzebra (2-part)
• "Catch a Falling Star" arr. Mac Huff
• "Hushabye, Nanita Nana" arr. Donnelly & Strid
• "Snow is Falling" by Ruth Elaine Schram (2-part)
• "Siyahamba" arr. Donald Moore (2-part)
• "Seasons of Love" (from Rent) arr. Mac Huff (2-part)
• "How Can I Keep from Singing?" by Greg Gilpin (2-part)
• "Artza Alinu" arr. Earlene Rentz (2-part)
• "Babethandaza" arr. Victor Johnson (SSA)
• "Whisper!" by Greg Gilpin (2-part)

Spring Concert Songs

• "I Bought Me a Cat" arr. Sally Albrecht (2-part)
• "Akatonbo" arr. Russell Robinson
• "Bonse Aba" arr. Victor Johnson (2-part)
• "I Love Chocolate!" by Mary Lynn Lightfoot
• "Get On Board" by Martin/ Williams
• "I Want to Rise" arr. Mark Weston (2-part)
• "J'entend le Moulin" arr. Dwyer/ Ellis (SA)
• "Salangadou" arr. Susan Brumfield
• "Cantar!" by Jay Althouse (2-part)
• "Sisi Ni Moja" by Jacob Narverud (SA)
• "Aya Ngena" arr. Ruth Morris Gray (SSA)
• "Kojo no Tsuki" arr. Audrey Snyder
• "Rhythm of Life" arr. John Leavitt (2-part)
• "Ukrainian River Song" by Roman Yakub

Keep in mind in many cases I make minor adjustments to the pieces to fit my needs, whether that's adjusting the lyrics, modifying the harmony parts, adjusting the arrangements, or making a section a solo. I've written more details about some specific ways I often modify songs in this post, and you're welcome to comment or email me if you have questions about any of the specific songs on this list.

I have been hesitant to share this list because I am not particularly thrilled with the identities represented in the list of arrangers and composers. I would love to hear suggestions from people who have found songs they love for elementary choirs by composers and arrangers that identify with underrepresented identities, particularly culture bearers from the global majority. I have, frankly, had an easier time finding representation in the modern songs I program for my elementary choirs and have admittedly put more energy into that effort than I have into the choral arrangements. To see my (ongoing) list of modern songs I've arranged for my elementary choirs, check out this post.

I also don't tend to program concerts with a specific theme most of the time, because I don't want to limit myself, but sometimes I stumble into a theme and when that happens it's pretty cool to see it come together! I've shared the songs I've programmed for 3 different themes (stars, rhythm, and self-identity) in this post.

Looking for more advice on teaching elementary chorus? You can search all of my posts on the topic, with everything from teaching strategies to warmups to rehearsal procedures, here.