Canadian Music Class Challenge 2024: the prizes

CBC Music's Canadian Music Class Challenge 2024 is officially open.

The prizes for this year's Canadian Music Class Challenge include thousands of dollars in gift certificates for instruments or any other audio gear. 

We are also thrilled to include, for the second year, a $5,000 prize from MusiCounts recognizing innovation in the music classroom. 

Here is a full list of our prizes:

• Seven grand prize winners from categories 1-3 and 5-8 will be awarded $3,000 in new musical instruments and receive a gold-record plaque. Second- and third-place prize winners will receive a gold-record plaque.
• Top performance of "Yohahí:yo (The Good Road)" will be awarded $1,000 in new musical instruments.
• Top private school/community music program will be awarded $1,000 in new musical instruments and receive a gold-record plaque.
• Top primary/elementary performance of "Cuddlebug" will receive a gold-record plaque.

MusiCounts Band Aid Passion Prize 

$5,000 in new musical instruments will be awarded to one entry from all submissions demonstrating the most spirited and fun-filled, joyous music performance, regardless of musical ability, as determined by the judging panel, using standard approaches to music education (concert band, orchestra, choral, guitar/ukulele, Orff, etc.).

MusiCounts Innovation Passion Prize 

$5,000 in new musical instruments will be awarded by the judging panel to one submission from all entries of a performance that showcases the diversity of what music education in Canada can look like, through a technology-forward performance (hip-hop, beatmaking, electronic music, etc), or showcasing culturally specific musical instruments and traditions.

Submit a video of your performance of one of the songs on our list by Nov. 18, 2024.

You can find out more about the Canadian Music Class Challenge by signing up for our newsletter below or by reading through our FAQs and rules and regulations.