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Calling all music educators!
As you begin mapping out your school year for 2026-27, we have some helpful news to guide your curriculum planning.
CBC Music and MusiCounts are teaming up to offer two distinct, back-to-back opportunities for your students to engage with the best Canadian music. By announcing our full seasonal lineup for the Music Class challenge now, we hope to give you the lead time you need to plan.
This autumn sees the return of the classic Challenge with a fresh list of Canadian songs your classes can choose to cover. Record a class performance on video and send it to us for a chance to win thousands of dollars in instruments and equipment grants from MusiCounts.
For the spring 2027 Challenge next year, we will release full digital scores and educational resources to help you teach new works. These works come from the inaugural MusiCounts Fellowship for Emerging Artists and Composers program. The fellowship pairs talented emerging creators with professional mentors, to produce brand-new, original Canadian repertoire specifically designed for the classroom. The materials are free to teachers and will be released before this year’s end.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected]. Check out the songs below.
- 7th Floor by Allie X.
- À la claire fontaine (traditional)
- Baby Beluga by Raffi.
- Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell.
- C’est L’aviron (traditional).
- Cowboy Dreams by Boy Golden feat. Cat Clyde.
- Dis-moi dis-moi dis-moi by Lou-Adriane Cassidy.
- Don’t Like You Anymore by Tanika Charles.
- Dreamcatcher by Aysanabee.
- Ego by Nuela Charles.
- Extraordinaire by Fredz.
- Jeans (Fall On My Knees) by Katie Tupper.
- La journée va être chaude by Les Louanges.
- Love Song by Justin Bieber.
- Mitêh (Heart) by Sherryl Sewepagaham.
- Next Summer by Arkells.
- Put Your Weapons Down by Shawnee Kish.
- Running Home by Jade LeMac.
- Sage My Soul by Tia Wood.
- Sunshine In My Cup by Jeremy and Jazzy.
- The River by Dominique Fils-Aimé.
- The Weight by the Band.
- Tomorrow’s Left by Sacha.
7th Floor, Allie X
This infectious pop song from the album Happiness Is Going to Get You has won a SOCAN No. 1 Award. Find the sheet music here.
À la claire fontaine (traditional)
This traditional French folk song is from around the 15 or 16th century. Find the sheet music here.
Baby Beluga, Raffi
This popular children’s song from the 1980s was inspired by a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium.
Both Sides Now, Joni Mitchell
This touching song about love and life was written by folk superstar Joni Mitchell, who took home the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Juno Awards.
C’est L’aviron (traditional)
This traditional French folk song is from the 18th century. Find the sheet music here.
Cowboy Dreams, Boy Golden feat. Cat Clyde
This country stream-of-consciousness duet explores the overwhelming feeling of love. Find the lyrics here.
Dis-moi dis-moi dis-moi, Lou-Adriane Cassidy
This grooving French pop song is guaranteed to have you hitting repeat. It’s no wonder it won song of the year at the 2025 ADISQ Awards.
Don’t Like You Anymore, Tanika Charles
This soulful track hails from an album of deeply personal songs for Tanika Charles. However, on the surface, it reads like a traditional breakup song.
Dreamcatcher, Aysanabee
This alt-indie song by Oji-Cree singer Aysanabee was written while contemplating a period of self-doubt following his rapid rise to fame. Find the lyrics here.
Ego, Nuela Charles
This soulful pop song blends clever lyrics about pride and jealousy with funky harmonies that every student will want to sing. Find the lyrics here.
Extraordinaire, Fredz
This viral French pop song reminds us that special connections and the power of love can make the most ordinary-feeling person feel extraordinary. Find the lyrics here.
Jeans (Fall On My Knees), Katie Tupper
This introspective song by neo-soul artist Katie Tupper is about putting oneself first. The soulful track is from her newest album, Greyhound.
La journée va être chaude, Les Louanges
This funky indie-pop French song tackles themes of climate change. Find the lyrics here.
Love Song, Justin Bieber
This is the ultimate love song, Justin Bieber-style, from his Swag 2 album. Find the lyrics here.
Mitêh (Heart), Sherryl Sewepagaham
This is a CBC commissioned work in Woodland Cree-Dene with an instructional video by the composer, shown above. Find the sheet music here.
Next Summer, Arkells
This indie-pop song is full of catchy hooks and riffs, and is perfect for a rock band/class.
Put Your Weapons Down, Shawnee Kish
“We can’t do this no more, it’s just the same old fight,” Shawnee Kish sings on this soaring, soulful song.
Running Home, Jade LeMac
Pop singer Jade LeMac’s anthemic song Running Home is upbeat and infectious thanks to its addictive chorus.
Sage My Soul, Tia Wood
This gospel-inspired number is one of Tia Wood’s most heartfelt and tender tracks. Find the sheet music here.
Sunshine In My Cup, Jeremy and Jazzy
Younger classes will enjoy this bubbly, fun song, with lyrics that are perfectly engaging for young classes.
The River, Dominique Fils-Aimé
This slow jazzy number is from the Quebec singer’s most recent album, My World Is the Sun. Find the lyrics here.
The Weight, the Band
This classic rock song, penned by Robbie Robertson, is a perfect fit for a band or choir.
Tomorrows Left, Sacha
This swinging country single is from Juno nominee Sacha’s debut album, Woman in the Mirror. Find the lyrics here.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.cbc.ca ’
