Kitchener-Waterloo

Waterloo high school students win CBC Music Class Challenge

A performance of The Returner by Allison Russell won the vocal class at Laurel Heights Secondary School a $1,000 prize in the CBC Music Class Challenge.

Laurel Heights Secondary School will use prize money to buy instruments

Students at Laurel Heights Secondary pose for a photo.
Grade 9 to 12 students in the vocal class at Laurel Heights Secondary School won $1,000 in prize money and a plaque in the CBC Music Class Challenge. The prize money will be used to purchase instruments. Students won for their version of The Return by Allison Russell. (Submitted by Waterloo Region District School Board)

Students at Laurel Heights Secondary School in Waterloo took first place and a prize of $1,000 to go toward new musical instruments in the CBC Music Class Challenge.

The students, between Grade 9 and 12, in Deanne Gladding's vocal class won for their version of the Allison Russell song The Returner.

Laurel Heights placed first in the category called Non-Live-Off-the Floor Performance. There were 16 categories in the competition. 

The CBC judges gave high praise to the students.

"What a stunning and brilliant performance. It was very cleverly arranged and the shots for the music video were all very meaningful," said a release.

"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!"

The Canadian Music Class Challenge is CBC Music's salute to music education in this country. In association with MusiCounts, every year we invite music instructors to teach their students a Canadian song from our pre-approved list.