Here are the winners of the 2024 Canadian Music Class Challenge

The winners of the 2024 Canadian Music Class Challenge have officially been chosen. The judges saw another year of incredible performances, impressive musicality and inspiring teamwork. Music classes from across the country submitted their very best instrumental and vocal renditions of pre-approved songs, and now the winning classes from tens of thousands of Canadian music students have been selected. 

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. We received an overwhelming amount of entries this year, and it's a great salute to the importance of music education in this country.

Check out all the first-place winners below.

Category 1: Primary Vocal (kindergarten to Grade 3)

Winner ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School from Vancouver performing "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Judge's comments: "Congratulations to the kids at Sir Wilfrid Laurier for beautiful ensemble singing with lovely harmonies that add interest and emotional colour." 

Second place (plaque): Nesbitt Elementary School from Montreal performing "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Third place (plaque): Saint John Fisher Senior Elementary School from Pointe-Claire, Que., performing "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Category 2: Elementary Instrumental (grades 4-6)

Winner ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): Saint John Fisher Elementary School from Pointe-Claire, Que., performing "Fille à porter" by Ariane Roy et Lou-Adriane Cassidy.

Judge's comments: "Way to go musicians at Saint John Fisher! Great musicality, and forward momentum in your performance. Such a rich array of instruments and all well played."  

Second place (plaque): Dr. Annie B. Jamieson Elementary School from Vancouver performing "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Third place (plaque): Nootka Elementary School from Vancouver performing "A Little Bit Happy" by Talk. 

Category 3: Elementary Vocal (grades 4-6)

Winner ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School from Vancouver performing "Little Breeze" by Bobs & LoLo.

Judge's comments: "Congratulations, this performance is so well rehearsed and performed. Lovely soaring harmonies make this a truly moving experience."

Second place (plaque): Nelson Rural School from Miramichi, N.B., performing "We Remember" by Allan Crossley.

Third place (plaque): École Félix-Leclerc from Longueuil, Que., performing "Yohahí:yo" by Shawnee Kish.

Category 4: Primary/Elementary 'Cuddlebug' karaoke

Winner (plaque): Capitol Hill Elementary School from Burnaby, B.C., performing "Cuddlebug" by Splash'N Boots.

Judge's comments: "Thank you for singing with all your hearts, you are great!"

Category 5: Junior Instrumental (grades 7-10)

Winner ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): H.D. Stafford Middle School from Langley, B.C., performing "Everything Is Boring" by the Beaches.

Judge's comments: "Hey musicians at Stafford, well done! Not only is your playing great, you really sold it with your driving rhythm section."

Second place (plaque): Senator Joyce Fairbairn Middle School from Lethbridge, Alta., performing "A Little Bit Happy" by Talk.

Third place (plaque): Austin O'Brien High School from Edmonton performing "Reggae Party" by Kirk Diamond.

Category 6: Junior Vocal (grades 7-10)

Winner ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School from Vancouver performing "Life Is" by Arkells.

Judge's comments: "This choir of Grade 6 and 7 students really stole my heart with their performance of 'Life Is.' Their voices are sweet and warm, their blend is lovely, their diction is clear and they sing with excellent, healthy vocal placement: the sound is supported but not pushed. This is a moving arrangement with stunning harmonies and accompaniment. I especially loved the cello, and how the piece ends, leaving the listener with the pure sentiment of the song. This choir's performance is thoughtfully interpreted and shared, with simplicity and sincerity." — Deantha Edmunds

Second place (plaque): Arbutus Global Middle School from Victoria performing "The Returner" by Allison Russell.

Third place (plaque): St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic High School, from Aurora, Ont., performing "Life Is" by Arkells.

Category 7: Senior Instrumental (grades 11-12)

Winner ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): Dr. Norman Bethune C.I. from Scarborough, Ont., performing "Everything Is Boring" by the Beaches.

Judge's comments: "There is nothing 'boring' about this upbeat, exciting performance! Great job creating a dynamic arrangement that highlights the unique combination of instruments in your ensemble in such an energetic rendition of the song. Congratulations to everyone involved!" — Cait Nishamura 

Second place (plaque): Nepean High School from Ottawa performing "A Little Bit Happy" by Talk.

Third place (plaque): Lisgar Collegiate Institute from Ottawa performing "Here and Now" by Aysanabee.

Category 8: Senior Vocal (grades 11-12)

Winner ($3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): Sir William Mulock Secondary School from Newmarket, Ont., performing "Life Is" by Arkells.

Judge's comments: "Congratulations to Sir William Mulock Secondary School on a wonderful arrangement and stellar display of choral musicianship in your cover of 'Life Is' by Arkells! With seven new members this year in such a small ensemble, I commend this group on how well they're listening to each other already for everything from balance to intonation, particularly as you ventured into new tonality while entering and exiting the bridge of this song. As always, a cappella singing demands a high amount of focus from each singer in the ensemble, and even the most seasoned groups have to work hard to lock into a tonal centre; when things became challenging in this piece, it didn't take long for this group to anchor and make those small moments brief and barely noticeable. Special shoutout to the amazing work from the bass and vocal percussionist in this group, who provided a very solid foundation for the ensemble to work with from start to finish. Thanks again to you, Sir William Mulock, for your undeniably honest and well rehearsed submission this year. Well done!" — Lane Osborne 

Second place (plaque): JH Bruns Collegiate from Winnipeg performing "Charlie Wenjack" by Willie Dunn.

Third Place (plaque): Laura Secord Secondary School from St. Catharines, Ont., performing "The Returner" by Allison Russell.

Category 9: Private School

Winner ($1,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): Vancouver College from Vancouver performing "The Returner" by Allison Russell.

Judge's comments: "Wow, an outstanding arrangement, full of colour, confidently owned by some super talented musicians. You amplified the emotion of the original song to new heights. Thank you!"

Second place (plaque): Vancouver Youth Choir from Vancouver performing "A Little Bit Happy" by Talk.

Third place (plaque): Capital Strings and Voices Collective from Ottawa performing "We Remember" by Allan Crossley.

Category 10: Public Library Music Program

Winner ($1,000 in new musical instruments): Midland Public Library from Midland, Ont., performing "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Judge's comments: "Congratulations to the Midland Public Library's student band, the Overdue Books, for their wonderful performance of 'You Can Be Anything.' It was awesome to see this beginner band sing and play the ukulele together and especially lovely to see a Grade 10 student volunteering his time at the library to work with the kids. Keep the musical spirit growing at the library kids!"

Honourable mention: Pembroke Public Library from Pembroke, Ont., performing "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Category 11: Non-Live-Off-the-Floor Performance

Winner ($1,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque): Laurel Heights Secondary School from Waterloo, Ont., performing "The Returner" by Allison Russell.

Judge's comments: "What a stunning and brilliant performance. It was very cleverly arranged and the shots for the music video were all very meaningful. The recording of the song was exceptionally well done. Very clear audio, clean edits, and a well balanced mix throughout. Great work Laurel Heights Secondary School!"

Second place (plaque): Leahurst College from Kingston, Ont., performing "Everything Is Boring" by the Beaches.

Third place (plaque): Waterford Valley High School from St. John's performing "Everything Is Boring" by the Beaches.

Best rendition of 'Yohahí:yo' by Shawnee Kish (Indigenous Language Prize)

Winner ($1,000 in new musical instruments): Hazel McCallion Sr. Public School from Mississauga, Ont., performing "Yohahí:yo" by Shawnee Kish.

Judge's comments: "Great work on the quality and loved to see the song with so much passion. Love your instrumental and video as well as harmonies!" — Shawnee Kish 

Honourable mentions:

• École Félix-Leclerc from Longueuil, Que., performing "Yohahí:yo" by Shawnee Kish.

• École Lavérendrye from Winnipeg performing "Yohahí:yo" by Shawnee Kish.

MusiCounts Band-Aid Passion Prize 

A prize 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.)

Winner ($5,000 in new musical instruments): Master's Academy from Calgary performing "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy.

MusiCounts Innovation Passion Prize 

A prize awarded to one entry from all submissions of a performance that showcases the diversity of what music education in Canada can look like, through a technology-forward performance (hip-hop, beat-making, electronic music, etc.), or showcasing culturally specific musical instruments and traditions.

Winner ($5,000 in new musical instruments): Betty Huff Elementary from Surrey, B.C., performing "Everything Is Boring" by the Beaches.

Congratulations again to all of these victorious classes and music teachers, and to every single student and teacher who took part in the challenge this year!