This is it! Our judges have finally made their decisions in all categories of the 2020 Canadian Music Class Challenge. They have chosen the winning classes from thousands of Canadian music students who overcame extraordinary challenges to create safe videos during the pandemic.
On behalf of everyone at CBC Music and MusiCounts, congratulations to our winners and a heartfelt thank you to all the music teachers and students who took part in this year’s challenge of challenges. It was overwhelming to witness what you were able to achieve this year, and it’s a great salute to the importance of music education in this country.
Check out the entire list of winners below.
Category 2: Primary Vocal (kindergarten to Grade 3)
First prize ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “Like a Flower to the Sun”/”Hold On”/”We’re all in This Together,” McKenzie Elementary Junior Choir, Victoria. Music teacher: Arlene Salido.
Judge’s comment: “Great, tuneful singing in this imaginative and safely distanced performance!” – CBC Music staff
Second prize (plaque): “Seed In The Ground”, St. Michael’s University School (Grade 2), Victoria. Watch their video.
Third prize (plaque): “Seed In The Ground”, Westminster Public School, Brockville, Ont. Watch their video.
Category 3: Elementary Instrumental (Grades 4-6)
First prize ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “Crabbuckit”, Suzuki Charter School, Edmonton. Music teacher: Tim Eckert.
Judge’s comment: “An ambitious arrangement very well done.” — CBC Music staff
Second prize (plaque): “Dirt,” Dr. Annie B. Jamieson Elementary, Vancouver. Watch their video.
Third prize (plaque): “Sunrise,” St. Martha School, Calgary. Watch their video.
Category 4: Elementary Vocal (Grades 4-6)
First prize ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “Like a Flower to the Sun,” Nelson Rural School, Miramichi, N.B. Music teacher: Mary O’Neill Delano.
Judge’s comment: “A great performance full of unison and musicality.” — CBC Music staff
Second prize (plaque): “October,” Chemainus Elementary, Chemainus, B.C. Watch their video.
Third prize (plaque): “We’re all in This Together,” Terry Fox Elementary, Pierrefonds, QU. Watch their video.
Category 5: Junior Instrumental (Grades 7-10)
First prize ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “Hymn to Freedom” Cross Canada Fiddle, Nanaimo, B.C. Music teachers: Trish and Geoff Horrocks.
Judge’s comment: “What a team! They play with such poise, beauty of tone and a sensitive sense of ensemble.” — Julie Nesrallah, host of Tempo on CBC Music.
Second prize (plaque): “Like a Flower to the Sun”, Dr. Annie B. Jamieson, Vancouver. Watch their video.
Third prize: (plaque): “Hymn to Freedom,” Sistema Winnipeg St. John’s High School, Winnipeg. Watch their video.
Category 6: Junior Vocal (Grades 7-10)
First prize ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “Crabbuckit,” St. Paul’s Glee, Alliston, Ont. Music teacher: John Miorin.
Judge’s comment: “These kids have attitude and it really came across in their performance. Engaging and fun. Positively gleeful!” — Terra Lightfoot, Juno-nominated musician.
Second prize (plaque): “Robots,” College Ave Secondary, Woodstock, Ont. Watch their video.
Third prize (plaque): “Crabbuckit,” Arbutus Global Middle School, Victoria. Watch their video.
Category 7: Senior Instrumental (Grades 11-12)
First prize ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “Hand in my Pocket,” Orchard Park Secondary, Stoney Creek, Ont. Music teacher: Wendy Young.
Judge’s comment: “I greatly enjoyed the performance, and I was impressed with the ensemble, technique and creativity.” — Ron Cohen Mann, professional oboist and music teacher.
Second prize (plaque): “Crabbuckit,” Oak Ridge Percussion, Colborne, Ont. Watch their video.
Third prize (plaque): “Crabbuckit,” Austin O’Brien High, Edmonton. Watch their video.
Category 8: Senior Vocal (Grades 11-12)
First prize ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “Hymn to Freedom,” Gladstone Secondary Choir, Vancouver. Music teacher: Mike Braveman.
Judge’s comment: “I was very, very impressed. I could see the smiles, energy and talent, even through the masks.” — Odario Williams, host of After Dark on CBC Music.
Second prize (plaque): “We Find Love,” Mayfield Secondary, Caledon, Ont. Watch their video.
Third prize (plaque): “Hymn to Freedom,” Langley Fine Arts School, Langley, B.C. Watch their video.
Category 9: Auditioned Music Class
First prize ($1,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “Sing You Home,” Holy Heart Chamber Choir, St. John’s. Music Teacher: Robert Colbourne,
Judge’s comment: “An utterly outstanding and deeply moving performance.” — CBC Music staff
Category 10: Community Music Class
First prize ($1,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “October,” Fraser Campbell Music School, Victoria. Music teacher: Fraser Campbell.
Judge’s comment: “What a lovely lead vocal, and outstanding rhythm section! ” — CBC Music staff
Category 11: Top Virtual Video
Surprise! In light of all of the incredible virtual videos we received this year due to those practising safe health guidelines and physical distancing, we are awarding this special prize to honour your creative efforts and musical excellence.
First prize ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): “Hand in my Pocket,” All Saints Catholic Secondary, Whitby, Ont.
Judge’s comment: “A wonderful spirit of together-apart carries this performance, which is filled with dynamic and energized performances.” — CBC Music staff
Congratulations again to all of these victorious classes and music teachers, and to every single student and teacher who took part in the challenge in this year, one unlike any other!
Be sure to check out the winners of the Canadian Music Playlist Challenge on December 16!
Questions? Email us at [email protected]. Happy holidays, see you next year, and remember: we’re all in this together!
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.cbc.ca ’
