CBC Music Class Challenge 2025 fall anniversary edition: winners

The judges have officially selected the winners of the fall anniversary edition of the 2025 CBC Music Class Challenge, powered by MusiCounts.

As a reminder, here are the prizes available for the following categories: the first-place winners will receive $2,000 in new musical instruments from MusiCounts, and first, second and third place winners will receive plaques.

WATCH | The winners of the CBC Music Class Challenge 2025 fall anniversary edition:

This year there is also the Culture Award, which is 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. 

Additionally, there is the Tuition-Based Program Award, which is for an outstanding submission from a program with higher participant fees. The recipient of this award will receive a plaque. 

Thank you to all the teachers and students who participated, and on behalf of everyone at CBC Music and MusiCounts, congratulations to our winners.

Category 1: Elementary Performance, Vocal or Instrumental (kindergarten to 3)

First place: Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary (Laurier Eaglets) from Vancouver performing I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado.

Second place: Nesbitt Elementary School (Hearts in Harmony) from Montreal performing Paper Heart by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Third place (previous winner): Nelson Rural School (Grade 1-2-3) from Miramichi, N.B., performing Paper Heart by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Category 2: Junior Instrumental (grades 4-6)

First place: Torquay Elementary School (Torquay Orffestra) from Victoria performing Au clair de la lune (traditional).

Second place (previous winner): Saint John Fisher Senior Elementary School (Deep Music Instrumental Group) from Pointe Claire, Que., performing Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen.

Third place (previous winner): Victory School (instrumental ensemble, grades 4-5 ) from Winnipeg performing Au claire de la lune (traditional).

Category 3: Intermediate Instrumental (grades 7-9)

First place: St. Augustine Catholic High School (Titans Junior Band) from Markham, Ont., performing Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen.

Second place (previous winner): Senator Joyce Fairbairn (concert band, grades 6-9) from Lethbridge, Alta., performing Crabbuckit by k-os.

Third place: St. Matthew High School (Semester 1 guitar class) from Orleans, Ont., performing Stitches by Shawn Mendes.

Category 4: Senior Instrumental (grades 10-12)

First place: Austin O’Brien High School (Senior Windy Winds) from Edmonton performing Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara.

Second place: DW Poppy Secondary School (Senior Jazz Ensemble) from Langley, B.C., performing Confetti by Charlotte Cardin.

Third place (previous winner): Nepean High School (percussion ensemble) from Ottawa performing Crabbuckit by k-os.

Judge’s comments: “I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your arrangement of Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara, Austin O’Brien High School! Your work is outstanding, each section offers something fresh and engaging, and I genuinely found myself dancing in my seat. Your passion shines through every bar, and even through video I can sense the positive, creative energy in your classroom. Love the fun you’re having! Bravo to you all!” — Dylan Maddix

Category 5: Junior Vocal (grades 4-6)

First place: Nesbitt Elementary School (Sound Fusion Ensemble) from Montreal performing Flowers Need Rain by Preston Pablo, Banx & Ranx.

Second place (previous winner): Nelson Rural School (chorus, grades 4-6) from Miramichi, N.B., performing I’m Like A Bird by Nelly Furtado.

Third place: Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School (Intermediate Choir) from Vancouver performing I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado.

Category 6: Intermediate Vocal (grades 7-9)

First place: Bowmore Public School (Bowmore Intermediate Choir) from Toronto performing Crabbuckit by k-os.

Second place: Hazel McCallion Sr. Public School (Choir) from Mississauga, Ont., performing Paper Heart by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Third place: Tarentorus Public School (Grade 8 music class) from Sault Sainte Marie, Ont., performing Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

Judge’s comments: “Congratulations, Bowmore Public School! There were so many things that stood out to me from your entry into this fall’s challenge. This is not an easy song to sing, as the way it’s been arranged for you jumps to different parts of your range. Playing with range is particularly challenging at your age as your voices are rapidly changing, but your teacher managed to find a place where you could all sing comfortably in-pitch while some of you also practised jumping to different parts of your range between the verses and chorus! Bravo!

This entry also experimented with two-part harmony in the verses in a way that makes sense for this age group, as it is appropriate and attainable to sing well at this stage of their musical development. Thank you for also letting student musicians help to back you and for giving them a chance to improvise on their instruments in tasteful places throughout the song. There are many invaluable lessons being learned here. Thanks for showing Canada that strong music programs exist in our public schools!” — Lane Osborne

Category 7: Senior Vocal (grades 10-12)

First place: Colonel By Secondary School (The ‘C Flats’) from Gloucester, Ont., performing Crabbuckit by k-os

Second place: Huron Heights Secondary School (C’est Jazz) from Newmarket, Ont., performing Stitches by Shawn Mendes.

Third place: Laura Secord Secondary School (Advanced Vocal Jazz) from St. Catharines, Ont., performing Crabbuckit by k-os.

Judge’s quote:  “Congratulations Colonel By ‘C Flats’ on your spirited performance. Your sweet tone, seamless blending of voices, percussive phrasing, and strong forward motion make this a joy to hear.”

Category 8: Junior/Intermediate Contemporary Ensemble (grades 4-9)

First place: École Intermédiare Cedar Hill Middle School (Cedar Hill SoundLab) from Victoria performing I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado.

Second place: Betty Huff Elementary (Junior/Intermediate) from Surrey, B.C., performing Crabbuckit by k-os.

Third place: Ellenvale Junior High School (Belle Vista Voices) from Dartmouth, N.S., performing Stitches by Shawn Mendes.

Category 9: Senior Contemporary Ensemble (grades 10-12)

First place: Lake of Two Mountains High School (LTMHS Music Collective) from Deux-Montagnes, Qué., performing Confetti by Charlotte Cardin.

Second place: Heritage Regional High School (HRHS FAF Music Senior) from Saint-Hubert, Qué., performing I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado.

Third place: Riverview High School (CBC Ensemble) from Coxheath, N.S., performing I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado.

Category 10: Studio Production (all grades)

First place: Holy Heart of Mary High School (Chamber Choir) from St. John’s performing Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

Second place: Nootka Elementary (TALPAK) from Vancouver, performing Confetti by Charlotte Cardin.

Third place: Betty Huff Elementary (grades 6-7) from Surrey, B.C., performing Confetti by Charlotte Cardin.

Non-Western Instrument category

First place: École New Era School (Grade 3) from Brandon, Man., performing Paper Heart by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Tuition-Based Program

First place: Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (IB Music & Senior Jazz Band) from Foothills, Alta., performing I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado.