This one! Our judges have made the final decisions in all categories of the 2022 Canadian Music Class Challenge. They chose the brightest classes among tens of thousands of Canadian music students — some of whom have overcome extraordinary challenges in different parts of the country, including everything from hurricanes to widespread flu — Create amazing video performances. And for the first time ever, one teacher won her three different categories!
The Canadian Music Class Challenge is a chance for teachers to choose a song from our list, teach it to their students, send a video of their performance and win some great prizes.
Check out all the #1 winners here:
On behalf of everyone at CBC Music and MusiCounts, congratulations to the winners and a heartfelt thank you to all the music teachers and students who participated in this year’s challenge. We received an overwhelming number of entries this year, and we are very proud of the importance of music education in this country.
See the full list of winners below.
Category 1: Primary Instrumental (Kindergarten through 3rd grade)
First prize ($3,000 new instrument and plaque): school of victory, Winnipeg, man. Music Teacher: Lisa Rumak (“Back in You Head” by Tegan and Sara).
Judges’ Comments: “Well done, Victory School! You play with confidence and a strong forward momentum.” — Kai Black, Executive Producer, Canadian Music Class Challenge.
Second Prize (Shield): Ecole Robb Road Elementary SchoolComox, BC Music Teacher: Felipe Sequeira (“Paper Heart” by Jeremy and Jazzy).
Third Prize (Shield): Capitol Hill Elementary School, Burnaby, BC. Music Teacher: Teresa Louie (“Paper Hearts” by Jeremy and Jazzy).
Category 2: Primary Vocal (Kindergarten to 3rd grade)
First prize ($3,000 new instrument and plaque): Sir Wilfrid Laurier Primary School,Vancouver. Music Teacher: Jeeyeon Chung (“Paper Heart” by Jeremy and Jazzy).
Judge’s Comments: “Well done Egret! You show that making music can be fun. Your harmonies add incredible richness to a song.” — Jasmine Denham , Juno-nominated songwriter and CBC Music producer.
Second Prize (Shield): Nesbitt Elementary School, Montreal. Music teacher: Caroline Derome (“Nikamo” by Burnstick).
Third Prize (Shield): Nelson Rural SchoolMiramichi, NB Music Teacher: Mary O’Neill Delano (“Nikamo” by Burnstick).
Category 3: Elementary Instrumental (Grade 4-6)
First prize ($3,000 new instrument and plaque): Capitol Hill Elementary School (Resonance)Burnaby, BC Music Teacher: Theresa Lui (“Nikamo” by Burnstick).
Judge Comments: “Congratulations, Capitol Hill. Well maintained tempo, not a single note off. Great job.” — Kai Black, Executive Producer, Canadian Music Class Challenge.
Second Prize (Shield): school of victory, Winnipeg. Music teacher: Lisa Lumack (Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold”).
Third Prize (Shield): North Vancouver School District StringsNorth Vancouver, British Columbia Music Teacher: Clariskop (“The Girl” by City and Color).
Category 4: Elementary Vocals (Grade 4-6)
First prize ($3,000 new instrument and plaque): Sir Wilfrid Laurier Intermediate Choir,Vancouver. Music teacher: Jung Jae-young (Burnstick’s “Nikamo”).
Judge’s Comment “Deepening my emotions with a sweet and sweet voice and harmonies. Thank you!” — Odario Williams, musician, host of CBC Music after sunset.
Second Prize (Shield): Masters Academy (Grade 4-6 Choir), Calgary. Music teacher: Hope Serrate (“The Canadian Kid” by Brett Kissel).
Third Prize (Shield): James Thompson Elementary School (Thompson Tigers)Richmond, British Columbia Music Teachers: Sharon Hoffinger and Parker Woods (“Little Spruce” by Rachelle Van Zanten).
Category 5: Junior Instrumental (Grade 7-10)
First prize ($3,000 new instrument and plaque): HD Stafford Middle SchoolLangley, BC Music Teacher: Brock Forster (“Heart of Gold” by Neil Young).
Judge’s Comments: “I love instruments and really enjoyed listening to this song. I also liked how well they played difficult instruments and that Mr. Wallace made the arrangements for them.” — Julie Nesrallah, opera singer and host of CBC Music tempo.
Second Prize (Shield): Dr. Annie B. Jamison Elementary School,Vancouver. Music teacher: James Colpitts (“Forget me” by Cœur de Pirate).
Third Prize (Shield): Austin O’Brien Jr. Instrumental, Edmonton. Music Teacher: George Koufogiannakis (Trooper’s ‘We’re Here For a Good Time (Not a Long Time)’).
Category 6: Junior Vocals (Grade 7-10)
First prize ($3,000 new instrument and plaque): Sir Wilfrid Laurier Chamber Choir, Vancouver. Lecturer: Jeeyeon Chung (“Little Spruce” by Rachelle Van Zanten).
Judge’s comment: “The fusion of the voices of the young and talented chamber choir was exceptional! When the choir sings in unison, it sounds like one voice. Telling a muffled tale, it is sweetly complemented by pitch-perfect harmonies that enhance the storytelling and create a rich texture for the angelic sound of the vocals. Congrats to the teacher who prepared! —Darnell Thomas, Musician and Professor of Vocal Music at Sheridan College.
Second Prize (Shield): Langley School of ArtFort Langley, BC Music Teacher: Nico Stevenson (“blah, blah” by Chad Price).
Third Prize (Shield): Calgary Arts Academy (Afternoon Rock Band), Calgary. Music Teacher: Garrett Thorson (Sloan’s “The Rest of My Life”).
Category 7: Senior Instrumental (Grade 11-12)
First prize ($3,000 new instrument and plaque): Gladstone Secondary Jazz Band,Vancouver. Music Teacher: Mike Braverman (“The Birdsong” by David Miles).
Jury Comments: “It was a very enjoyable performance! The arrangements were creative and brilliantly executed. The soloists were all excellent and well supported by a strong ensemble background figure. The rhythm section was You’ve given me a steady amount of time and a great groove.Performers and your teachers.Bravo!” — David Lum, musician, orchestra conductor and music educator.
Second Prize (Shield): fellows high, Pembroke, Ont. Music Teacher: Trevor Moore (“Birdsong” by David Miles).
Third Prize (Shield): Risgar University Flute and String Ensemble,Ottawa. Music Teacher: Lani Sommers (Blue Rodeo’s “Lost Together”).
Category 8: Senior Vocals (Grade 11-12)
First prize ($3,000 new instrument and plaque): JH Brands College Eight, Winnipeg. Music teacher: Randy Haley (“Nikamo” by Burnstick).
Judge’s Comments: “Very beautiful! I love the arrangement and the use of layers within the guitar ensemble and how perfectly integrated they are. The addition of the mandolin adds such zest. The singer Captivating tones, colors and bewitchingly elegant.Harmony.This really struck a chord with me!” —Jennifer Moon, Musician, Conductor, Canadian Music Class Challenge (Mayfield・Secondary) former winning teacher.
Second Prize (Shield): Eastwood Songwriting and Recording Class, Kitchener, Ont. Music Teacher: Matt Drysdale (“Heart of Gold” by Neil Young).
Third Prize (Shield): Sentinel Secondary School (RnB band) west vancouver. Music Teacher: Zoltan Virag (Tell me Something by Tanika)
Category 9: Community/Independent/Private School Classes
Winner ($1,000 for new instruments and shields): Victoria Conservatory BC Fiddle OrchestraMusic Teacher: Daniel Rapp (“Heart of Gold” by Neil Young).
Comments from the judges: “There is a great deal of joy in the faces of the students performing and that joy is evident in the sound they produce. I really like the arrangement of this piece, the confidence of the soloist and the tone of his voice.” , the harmony and excellent teamwork this group has shown. Well done!” — Jasmine Denham, Juno-nominated songwriter and CBC Music producer.
Honorable Mention: Leehurst College (AIRBAG SHAKQ), Kingston, Ontario. Music Teacher: Andrew P. Rush (“The Rest of my Life” by Sloan).
Honorable Mention: Rundle College Elementary School, Calgary. Music teacher: Amy Guttus (Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold”).
Category 10: Indigenous Language Award (Favorite Performance of “Nikamo” by Burnstick)
Winner ($1,000 for new instruments and shields): Marlborough Elementary SchoolBurnaby, BC Music Teacher: Corina Kuban (“Nikamo” by Burnstick).
Judges’ Comments “The dramatic shift in tempo and energy is what makes ‘Nikamo’ an outstanding performance. Well done, Marlborough Elementary School.” — Kai Black, Executive Producer, Canadian Music Class Challenge.
Category 11: MusiCounts Passion Award (Most Lively, Joyful and Passionate Performance)
Winner ($5,000 for new instruments and shields): Glamorgan Jr., Scarborough, Ontario. Music Teacher: Joshua Wong (“Paper Heart” by Jeremy and Jazzy).
Judges’ Comments: “Thank you, Glamorgan, for this vibrant and joyful celebration of music production!” — Staff of MusiCounts.
Category 12: Jeremy and Jazzy “Paper Heart” Bonus Award
Winners (randomly selected virtual performance of “Paper Heart” by singer-songwriter Jeremy Fisher): Inner Kip Central School, inner kip, ont. Music teacher: Jamie Hoffman.
Congratulations again to the winning classes and music teachers, and to all the students and teachers who participated in this year’s challenge! Long live music education in Canada.
question? Please email musicclass@cbc.ca. Have a nice vacation! Keep practicing and see you next year!
