The fall anniversary edition of the CBC Music Class Challenge powered by MusiCounts has new categories.
All music programs in Canada are welcome to participate and should enter the category that best aligns with their grade level and ensemble type. However, there are some new rules regarding schools and organizations that charge tuition.
For all K-3 performances, whether the performance is vocal or instrumental, we’re looking for passion, energy and creativity.
Check out this year’s categories and changes below.
Instrumental categories: For ensemble performances that showcase student musicians playing instruments only, no vocals. This could include concert band, orchestra, Orff instruments, guitar groups, percussion ensembles or any combination your class has put together. Performances must be live and unedited with all students performing together in real time.
Vocal categories: For submissions that feature classroom or choral singing, with a focus on vocal blend, clarity and musical expression. Think: school choirs, solo vocalists, classroom singing or vocal ensembles performing unison or harmony parts. Submissions may include instrumental accompaniment. Performances must be recorded live in real time.
Contemporary categories: For groups performing in popular or contemporary music configurations, such as rock, pop, hip-hop or indie. These ensembles typically include a mix of vocals and live instruments (acoustic or amplified). Performances must be recorded live off the floor, with all students performing together in real time.
Category 1: Elementary Performance, Vocal or Instrumental (kindergarten to Grade 3)
Category 2: Junior Instrumental (grades 4-6)
Category 3: Intermediate Instrumental (grades 7-9)
Category 4: Senior Instrumental (grades 10-12)
Category 5: Junior Vocal (grades 4-6)
Category 6: Intermediate Vocal (grades 7-9)
Category 7: Senior Vocal (grades 10-12)
Category 8: Junior/Intermediate Contemporary Ensemble (grades 4-9)
Category 9: Senior Contemporary Ensemble (grades 10-12)
Category 10: Studio Production (all grades)
Studio Production category: For performances created using multi-track recording, digital layering, or editing software, perfect for classes using DAWs like Soundtrap, GarageBand, BandLab, etc. Submissions may include vocal, instrumental, and digital elements, but must feature student performance and demonstrate a clear understanding of music production techniques.
In addition to these categories, there will also be two special awards granted to submissions in any category:
Culture Award: For a submission that features non-Western musical instruments or showcases youth celebrating their cultural identity through music.
Tuition-Based Program Award: For an outstanding submission from a program with higher participant fees.
Only public schools and registered charities that do not charge students more than $200 per year to participate in their program are eligible to be shortlisted in the top 10 for these categories. Programs that do not meet this criteria — including private schools and tuition-based programs — are still welcome to participate and may be eligible to receive the Tuition-Based Program Award, which recognizes outstanding submissions from programs with higher participant fees.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.cbc.ca ’
