Introducing the Canadian Music Playlist Challenge

There's a lot of uncertainty around the upcoming school year, but if there's one thing that you can count on if you're a teacher it's that CBC Music and MusiCounts Learn are here to support music in the school. 

That's why we're proud to present the first ever Canadian Music Playlist Challenge.  

This project-based initiative requires no singing or music instruments to complete, and students can participate whether working from home, or at school. 

The Playlist Challenge has two components: First, the free learning resource, or "lesson plan." This guide introduces students to themes of Canadian and Indigenous identity, and our musical heritage, as explored through the Juno Awards. 

The project culminates in a series of activities that teachers can use to build their classes' custom Canadian music playlist. The playlist should be a reflection of the unique character of your school, region and students' interests. Teachers can upload their class playlist to a special CBC website for all Canadians to enjoy.  

All schools that submit a playlist will be entered into a random draw for a chance to win one of 10 MusiCounts instrument grants for your school, each valued at $1,000. 

The Canadian Music Playlist Challenge is an easy four-step project that can fit any curriculum. 

1. Register to participate. This just takes a few minutes. It will be how we keep in touch with updates and next steps. 
2. Download and use the free lesson plan from MusiCounts Learn. This custom learning resource has been developed by Mark Reid, the 2013 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year. This will provide you with everything you need to engage your students in a conversation about Canadian music in your classroom, whether that be virtual or physical. There is a French language version of the lesson plan available as well.
3. Complete the playlist assignment. The lesson plan concludes with activities that will help your classes create their own Canadian music playlist. 
4. Submit your playlist to CBC Music. In October, we will provide all registered participants with a link to upload your playlist to a special site that will display all submissions. 

Please note the key dates for the Playlist Challenge:

• Sept. 8: Playlist Challenge launches at 5 a.m. ET
• Nov. 9: Submission period opens at 5 a.m. ET
• Nov. 30: Submissions close at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Dec. 16: Draw winners, announced at 5 a.m. ET

Sound like fun? Use this free Canadian music education resource at any time, with no obligation to submit a playlist to this project. We just want to make sure music has a place in the classroom this year. To be notified of all upcoming and ongoing CBC Music classroom initiatives, register for our newsletter at: cbc.ca/muiscteachernews 

For any information about our teaching resources, please contact applications@musicounts.ca.

For more information on the Canadian Music Class Challenge please visit our website, or register for our newsletter at: cbc.ca/musicteachernews.

More about MusiCounts and Mark Reid:

MusiCounts is Canada's music education charity associated with the Juno Awards. Their mission is to ensure that all kids in Canada have access to music education. MusiCounts' newest program, MusiCounts Learn, aims to help music educators #StayInTune with the latest conversations around music education in Canada, and connect teachers to new music education resources.

Mark Reid is a leader in British Columbia's diverse music education community, with a record of program development and growth. He has served as curriculum coordinator and music education strategy lead at the British Columbia Ministry of Education, past president of the Canadian Music Educators' Association, and he was the director of bands and choirs at Vancouver Technical Secondary School. Reid was presented with a Juno Award as the 2013 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for the 2015 Global Teacher Prize.