CBC Music Class Challenge 2025 fall anniversary edition: FAQs

The CBC Music Class Challenge powered by MusiCounts is back this fall and we have answers to some of your most frequently asked questions.

From a new registration process to new categories, find out what you need to know before signing up your class.

How is registration different?

Registration will now happen in two steps. First, fill out our registration form. We just need your name, school and contact information if you intend to participate.

Second, fill out this submission form when you have your video, class photo and description ready to submit, meaning you will not receive a Google folder this year. You simply attach your content to the submission form. There is only one entry per submission form, but you can enter as many forms as you like.  

What are the changes for winners?

There is now a recurring winner stipulation. To help ensure that more schools benefit from the MusiCounts grants offered through the Challenge, any school that receives a first-place prize and financial award will become ineligible for first-place or financial awards in any category for the following three years. For example, a school that wins first place in 2025 would next be eligible for a first-place financial award in 2028. These schools are still encouraged to participate, and remain eligible to be shortlisted, receive second or third place, and be recognized in other ways.

Additionally, tuition-based programs are welcome to enter in any relevant category this year. However, only programs that charge a student $200 or less per year will qualify for shortlisting and grant prizes. Tuition-based programs that charge a student more than $200 per year will not be shortlisted or win a grant award. They will, however, qualify for a first, second or third place plaque recognizing the best of the tuition-based entries.

How do I enter my class?

First, fill out our registration form if you intend to participate. Then, choose a song from the approved list to teach to your students once classes commence in fall 2025. Once you have your video, class photo and class description ready to send us, fill out the submission form and attach the assets no later than Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. ET. We then jump into action producing and posting it to YouTube. Then, we’ll send you a link to share with your community. 

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 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:

• Au clair de la lune (traditional). 
• Backpack Check by Young Maestro.
• Breathless by William Prince. 
• Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen.
• Confetti (both French and English versions) by Charlotte Cardin. 
• Crabbuckit by k-os.
• Flowers Need Rain by Preston Pablo, Banx and Ranx.
• Ghost by Sebastian Gaskin.
• Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.
• Hand Me Downs by Arkells.
• Hello by Aqyila.
• I’m Like A Bird by Nelly Furtado.
• Je te laisserai des mots by Patrick Watson. 
• Jeans (Fall On My Knees) by Katie Tupper.
• Lost Boy by Ruth B.
• Paper Heart by Jeremy and Jazzy. 
• Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara. 
• Stitches by Shawn Mendes.

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. You can adapt lyrics as necessary to suit the age group of your class, but entire lyric changes are not allowed.

Can a class submit more than one video doing different songs?

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).

Which categories can I enter my class in?

There are new categories this year. 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. 

Here are the 2025 fall categories:

• Category 1: Elementary Performance, Vocal or Instrumental (grades k-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).

From all entries, we will award a prize to a class using non-Western music instruments. We will also award first, second, and third place plaques for best submissions from tuition-based programs. 

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. Check out our categories post for detailed descriptions.  

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), overall quality of performance (60 per cent). Due to the volume of submissions, we are unable to provide scoring notes or performance comments.

What are the prizes?

For categories 1-10, the first place winners will receive $2,000 in new musical instruments from MusiCounts. First, second and third place will receive plaques.

In addition to these categories, two awards will be granted to submissions from any of the above categories: 

• Culture Award: For a submission that features non-Western musical instruments, or showcases youth celebrating their cultural identity through music. The recipient of this award will receive a $2,000 MusiCounts grant. 

• Tuition-Based Program Award: For an outstanding submission from a program with higher participant fees. The recipient of this award will receive a plaque. 

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?

An 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 crowd watching, and an off-the-floor performance is the best way to do this. Yes, if you want to mic different instruments for the purpose of creating a balanced live mix, that’s fine. Even a touch of reverb is fine. If you want to multi track record with a DAW, you must enter into Category 10 Studio Production.

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. If you do not see a link, we have not been able to source any sheet music.

Once I upload my song to my submission form, can I replace it?

If you have made an error, reach out to us at [email protected]. Please do not submit a second form for a song you’ve submitted in error.

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

Please upload your class description and bio in a DOX, DOCX or PDF format.

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?

You will get an auto reply once you submit. When your submission goes live on YouTube, we will send you the link to share. That will be after Nov. 22. 

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

The deadline for submissions is Nov. 18 at 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 on Friday, Dec.19, at approximately 8 a.m. ET on CBC Music’s Mornings and on all other CBC Music platforms. Good luck!