CBC Music Class Challenge 2025 spring edition: FAQs

The CBC Music Class Challenge presented by MusiCounts is officially open: you can now register here.

Want to know something about the competition? Take a look at our list of frequently asked questions below to find answers.

What should I know about the spring Challenge?

• Thanks to our new partnership with MusiCounts, we can now offer the Challenge twice a year, giving teachers more flexibility for participating. 

• The songs to choose from are the same as the fall 2024 edition, with the exception of the karaoke category, which is now the instrumental version of our featured Indigenous language song, "Yohahí:yo (The Good Road)" by Shawnee Kish.

• If you entered the fall 2024 Challenge, you may enter again with the same class of students as long as you choose a new song, or you can do the same song with a new class of kids.

• The categories and prize amounts have been reworked in light of our new partnership with MusiCounts, in order to reflect MusiCounts values in music education. Here are the new categories.

• There is a new music educator award. Yay! 

How do I enter my class?

Choose a song from the approved list to teach to your students. Once your registration has been submitted, a CBC Music producer will contact you with a link to a Google folder, where you will upload your finished class video performance, a class photo and a brief description of your class/video, which will appear in the description field of your video on YouTube.

Does my music class qualify?

The contest is free, and open to music classes in many locations including those at a recognized Canadian educational institution (a traditional public school music class, music club or after-school program), private school, or as part of a community music program (held in community centres, private music schools, refugee centres, etc.). Classes must consist of at least six students who are no older than age 18, with a supervising teacher.

Can I, as a teacher or instructor, accompany my class in the video?

Yes, accompaniment is fine. We understand that, especially at the elementary levels, kids sometimes need musical support. But the spirit of the competition is to showcase the kids' performances, so make sure your performance is heard and seen as support only, and that the kids are the focal point of the video. For the junior and senior categories, teacher support should be minimal, if at all.

Does my class need to perform a specific song?

Only a rendition of the following songs will be accepted:

• "A Little Bit Happy" by Talk. 
• "Au chant de l'alouette."
• "Charlie Wenjack" by Willie Dunn.
• "Dans ma tête" by Etienne Dufresne. 
• "Everything is Boring" by the Beaches. 
• "Fille à porter" by Ariane Roy and Lou-Adriane Cassidy.
• "Here and Now" by Aysanabee.
• "Life Is" by Arkells.
• "Little Breeze" by Bobs & LoLo.
• "Reggae Party" by Kirk Diamond.
• "Takin' Care of Christmas" by Randy Bachman and Beverley Mahood. 
• "The Returner" by Allison Russell.
• "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy. 
• "Old Love" by Dominique Fils-Aimé.
• "Yohahí:yo (The Good Road)" by Shawnee Kish.
• "We Remember" by Allan Crossley.

Check out videos, song information and links to any sheet music, all available here.

Can my class do a mash-up of multiple songs from the list?

Sorry, no. Due to song licensing restraints, we no longer allow mash-ups.

Can my class perform a song that is not on the official song list?

No. Only the songs on our list are licensed for use in the contest. 

Can I change the lyrics of the song to suit my class?

Yes.

Can a class submit more than one video?

No. Each class entered can only submit one video.

Do you need anything other than a song uploaded?

Yes. In order to finish your submission, you need a class photo for promotion and a brief description of why your class is so great.

What file format should my video be in?

MP4 or .MOV format (most smartphones shoot in this format).

What are the categories I can enter my class in?

Upon registration, you'll be asked to choose which category your class will enter. Choose the one that best suits your music class, and that will give your students the fairest hearing. Canadian schools are grouped differently in every province, so if one of these categories doesn't perfectly suit you, choose the one that is closest. Categories are explained in greater detail in our categories post.

Here are the 2025 spring categories:

• Category 1: Elementary Instrumental (grades 4-6).
• Category 2: Junior Instrumental (grades 7-9).
• Category 3: Senior Instrumental (grades 10-12).
• Category 4: Elementary Vocal (grades 4-6) (a capella or instrumental accompaniment).
• Category 5: Junior Vocal (grades 7-9) (a capella or instrumental accompaniment).
• Category 6: Senior Vocal (grades 10-12) (a capella or instrumental accompaniment).
• Category 7: Elementary/Junior Contemporary Ensemble (grades 4-9).
• Category 8: Senior Contemporary Ensemble (grades 10-12).
• Category 9: Non-Live-Off-the-Floor Performance (all grades).
• Category 10: Private Schools.
• Category 11: Primary Passion Prize (kindergarten to grade 3).
• Category 12: Passion Prize for performance of 'Yohahí:yo' (the Good Road)' with karaoke track (all grades). 
• Category 13: Culture Passion Prize (all grades).
• Category 14: Music Educator's Award.

My class is between categories. Which one should I enter?

We recommend entering the category of the age of the eldest child or majority age in your group.

How are the winners chosen?

The winners will be chosen by our panel of judges, which includes CBC personalities and music teachers. Classes will be judged on the following criteria: level of participation (10 per cent), creativity in interpretation (30 per cent) and overall quality of performance (60 per cent). 

What are the prizes?

• Categories 1-9: First place winners will receive $2,500 in music instruments from MusiCounts. First, second and third place will receive plaques.

• Category 10: First, second and third place will receive plaques.

• Categories 11 and 13: First place winners will receive $1,500 in music instruments from MusiCounts. First, second and third place will receive plaques.

• Categories 12 and 14: First place winners will receive $1,500 in music instruments, plus first place plaques.

How are the songs chosen?

We begin our song selection almost as soon as the contest closes the year prior, as it takes months to clear the legal rights for many songs. With consultation from music teachers across Canada, as well as CBC Music's knowledgeable staff, we try to choose a list of Canadian songs that will appeal to as many students and teachers as possible and, most importantly, will be fun to learn and perform!

What is a live "off-the-floor" performance?

A live off-the-floor performance is a single-take live performance that features no editing or multi-track recording. We want to see your music class perform the song live, as if we were sitting in the audience of a school assembly, and an off-the-floor performance is the best way to do this.

If you want to mic different instruments for the purpose of creating a balanced live mix, that's fine. We're trying to avoid the use of multi-tracking, which would create an unfair advantage. Teachers can appear in a supportive role like a piano accompanist, guitarist or conductor, but a teacher cannot be featured as a soloist. 

Can I cut in scenes from my school into the video?

Yes, you can cut in as many images of the class or school in video post-production as you wish, as long as we can see your class predominantly performing the song live off the floor.

Any tips for shooting and audio recording for my video?

Please shoot your video horizontally, landscape-style, as opposed to holding your smartphone vertically. Gyms are fine for large groups but can be the cause of a lot of reverb and echo, so try to use curtains or baffles to absorb sound. Smaller rooms with absorbent surfaces can create the best sound results.

Is sheet music of the songs available?

For most of the songs on our list, links are provided for sheet music and chords on our song list. If you do not see a link, we have not been able to source any sheet music.

Once I upload my song to my folder, can I replace it?

No. Once a teacher has uploaded a video file to their designated folder it is considered their final entry to the contest. Please only upload a file once you are satisfied it is finished. 

Why didn't I get a link to my folder yet?

The registration process is not automated. We only process entries during business hours, Monday to Friday, and during those days there is a waiting period of up to 48 hours. We try to speed this up closer to the registration deadline. If you have not received your link by then, please send us an email at [email protected]. We advise everyone to please register as early as you can. 

What format should I use for my class description and bio?

Please upload your class description and bio in a DOC, DOCX or PDF format to your folder.

Who can I contact if I have a question not addressed in the FAQs?

Email [email protected] and a producer will get back to you shortly.

Is there a hashtag I can use to promote my class video?

Yes, #CBCMusicClass.

What are the other benefits of participating in the Challenge?

Besides being a wonderful bonding experience for students, teachers and parents or guardians, your performance could be featured on local and national CBC Radio, TV and digital, and you could get your class in media beyond the CBC.

Do I need to provide a student permission form to the CBC?

No, the CBC does not require permission waivers. You own the video and should make sure all the kids are participating with parental permission before submitting your video.

Will I get confirmation that my video has been received?

No. If you can see your files in the shared folder, then your entry has been submitted. There will be no email confirmation sent to you. But when your submission goes live on YouTube we will send you the link to share. That will be after Monday, May 5, 2025.

When is the last day I can send in my class video?

The deadline for submissions is Monday, May, 5, 2025, 8 p.m. ET. Depending on your internet speed, uploading your video can take time. Please don't leave it until the last minute if possible!

When are the winners announced?

Winners in all categories will be announced  Monday, June 9, 2025, at approximately 8 a.m. ET on CBC Music's Mornings and on all other CBC Music platforms. Good luck!