Gearing up for graduation? Congratulations! Whether you’re putting on a performance or simply need to load up your party playlist, here are some of the top graduation songs, rounded up by Hayward, CA voice teacher Molly R...
Editor’s Note: Updated post for 2016 – even MORE recommendations for graduation songs to sing!
It’s May, and before you know it we’re getting into another very busy time of year! One of the things we have to look forward to is graduations galore (how did it get to be the end of the school year already?) .
If you’re a singer, perhaps you’ve been asked by a friend or family member to sing at a ceremony or party. There are lots of wonderful songs you can sing that are sure to please — the hard part is narrowing it down! Here are six suggestions for this year’s top graduation songs.
“Reach” – Gloria Estefan
This pop tune recorded by Gloria Estefan was composed for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Its simple yet positive message to keep reaching high is perfect for sending young people out into the great big world!
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“Climb Every Mountain” – Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Sound of Music”
This musical theatre classic is a marvelous choice for a classically trained voice, especially a big voiced mezzo-soprano or soprano. Its inspiring lyrics and soaring melody are best when sung with lots of conviction (and solid vocal technique!). Not recommended for pop voices.
“Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield
This is another inspiring pop song perfect for the new graduate! Your entire life is now a blank page, so go ahead and write your story! This particular song is great for big voices that aren’t afraid to play with melismas, also known as vocal runs.
“The Climb” – Miley Cyrus
This is yet another pop song with lyrics that encourage us to focus on our goals in order to achieve our dreams, even in tough times. Talk about the perfect message for the big day! This song would also work well for middle school ceremonies and young singers.
“I Believe I Can Fly” – R. Kelly
This ’90s R&B song from “Space Jam” is great for a variety of singers — bonus if you have a choir or vocal ensemble to sing with you! It’s uplifting and big; there’s no better way to end the year and begin the next chapter! This song would work very well for all levels and ages.
“Fly” – Avril Lavigne
This is the newest of the six songs, penned in honor of the 2015 Special Olympics. Like the other songs listed, it has a very inspiring message, but is also fairly easy to sing! Those newer to pop solos will be able to do a fine job with this one.
Naturally, your voice teacher is likely to have additional suggestions, so it’s a good idea to sift through these top graduation songs together. He or she really knows your voice and is a great resource for graduation day repertoire! TakeLessons is the ideal place to find a voice teacher if you do not already have one.
Be sure you do a good warm-up before the big performance… and break a leg!
Need more song ideas? Check out our list here!
Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013. Learn more about Molly here!
Photo by Tom Kelly
Suzy S.