The winners of the 2025 CBC Music Class Challenge fall anniversary edition, powered by MusiCounts, have been officially announced by the judges.
In this edition, the first-place winners will be awarded $2,000 worth of new musical instruments from MusiCounts, along with plaques for first, second, and third place winners. A special Culture Award has been introduced this year, recognizing submissions featuring non-Western musical instruments or showcasing cultural identity through music, with the recipient receiving a $2,000 MusiCounts grant. Additionally, the Tuition-Based Program Award will be given to an exceptional submission from a program with higher participant fees, with the recipient receiving a plaque.
Congratulations to all the teachers and students who took part in the challenge, and a big shoutout to the winners from everyone at CBC Music and MusiCounts.
The winners in different categories are as follows:
Elementary Performance, Vocal or Instrumental (Kindergarten to 3):
– First place: Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary (Laurier Eaglets) from Vancouver performing “I’m Like a Bird” by Nelly Furtado.
– Second place: Nesbitt Elementary School (Hearts in Harmony) from Montreal performing “Paper Heart” by Jeremy and Jazzy.
– Third place: Nelson Rural School (Grade 1-2-3) from Miramichi, N.B., performing “Paper Heart” by Jeremy and Jazzy.
Junior Instrumental (Grades 4-6):
– First place: Torquay Elementary School (Torquay Orffestra) from Victoria performing “Au clair de la lune” (traditional).
– Second place: Saint John Fisher Senior Elementary School (Deep Music Instrumental Group) from Pointe Claire, Que., performing “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen.
– Third place: Victory School (Instrumental Ensemble, Grades 4-5) from Winnipeg performing “Au claire de la lune” (traditional).
Intermediate Instrumental (Grades 7-9):
– First place: St. Augustine Catholic High School (Titans Junior Band) from Markham, Ont., performing “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen.
– Second place: Senator Joyce Fairbairn (Concert Band, Grades 6-9) from Lethbridge, Alta., performing “Crabbuckit” by k-os.
– Third place: St. Matthew High School (Semester 1 Guitar Class) from Orleans, Ont., performing “Stitches” by Shawn Mendes.
Senior Instrumental (Grades 10-12):
– First place: Austin O’Brien High School (Senior Windy Winds) from Edmonton performing “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara.
– Second place: DW Poppy Secondary School (Senior Jazz Ensemble) from Langley, B.C., performing “Confetti” by Charlotte Cardin.
– Third place: Nepean High School (Percussion Ensemble) from Ottawa performing “Crabbuckit” by k-os.
Junior Vocal (Grades 4-6):
– First place: Nesbitt Elementary School (Sound Fusion Ensemble) from Montreal performing “Flowers Need Rain” by Preston Pablo, Banx & Ranx.
– Second place: Nelson Rural School (Chorus, Grades 4-6) from Miramichi, N.B., performing “I’m Like A Bird” by Nelly Furtado.
– Third place: Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School (Intermediate Choir) from Vancouver performing “I’m Like a Bird” by Nelly Furtado.
Intermediate Vocal (Grades 7-9):
– First place: Bowmore Public School (Bowmore Intermediate Choir) from Toronto performing “Crabbuckit” by k-os.
– Second place: Hazel McCallion Sr. Public School (Choir) from Mississauga, Ont., performing “Paper Heart” by Jeremy and Jazzy.
– Third place: Tarentorus Public School (Grade 8 Music Class) from Sault Sainte Marie, Ont., performing “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen.
Senior Vocal (Grades 10-12):
– First place: Colonel By Secondary School (The ‘C Flats’) from Gloucester, Ont., performing “Crabbuckit” by k-os.
– Second place: Huron Heights Secondary School (C’est Jazz) from Newmarket, Ont., performing “Stitches” by Shawn Mendes.
– Third place: Laura Secord Secondary School (Advanced Vocal Jazz) from St. Catharines, Ont., performing “Crabbuckit” by k-os.
Junior/Intermediate Contemporary Ensemble (Grades 4-9):
– First place: École Intermédiare Cedar Hill Middle School (Cedar Hill SoundLab) from Victoria performing “I’m Like a Bird” by N