CBC Music Class Challenge 2026 spring edition: categories
Find out more about the new categories for the spring edition
The spring edition of the CBC Music Class Challenge powered by MusiCounts is all about celebrating new Canadian music in the classroom.
All music programs in Canada are welcome to participate and should enter the category that best aligns with their grade level. However, there are some new rules regarding schools and organizations that charge tuition.
This spring, we are thrilled to announce a significant departure from the usual cover versions: we invite your class to participate in one of two ways, both designed to foster creativity and celebrate new Canadian music.
First, you can choose to perform a newly commissioned work by acclaimed composer Sherryl Sewepagaham called mitêh (Heart). The sheet music for this Cree piece is fully modular, with free arrangements available for SATB, SA, and unison choir, plus an optional Orff accompaniment.
Teachers can choose the version that fits their students’ skill level, and the included chord markings make it easy for classes to create their own instrumental accompaniment if they wish. All score versions are available for download on the MusiCounts website.
Second, we are excited to invite classes to submit an original song! This is your chance to write, arrange and perform a creation entirely your own. Detailed submission guidelines for both the commissioned work and the original song categories are outlined below.
Categories
Category 1: mitêh (Heart) Elementary Performance (kindergarten to Grade 4)
Category 2: mitêh (Heart) Intermediate Performance (grades 5-8)
Category 3: mitêh (Heart) Senior Performance (grades 9-12)
In the first three categories above, classes will perform mitêh (Heart). The piece is designed to be modular and adaptable, with different score versions available to suit elementary, intermediate and senior choirs.
The core of the submission should be a performance of the score as written (either unison, SA, or SATB). The piece is fully suitable for a cappella performance, but an optional Orff-style accompaniment will also be available. Further, teachers and students are encouraged to treat the Orff score and included chord markings as a foundation, using them to develop their own creative instrumental accompaniment if they wish.
Category 4: Original Elementary Performance (kindergarten to grade 4)
Category 5: Original Intermediate Performance (grades 5-8)
Category 6: Original Senior Performance (grades 9-12)
In categories 4-6, students are invited to submit an original song that has been developed collaboratively as a class. Submissions must include original lyrics (i.e. no instrumental-only works), and may be in any musical style or genre. Original lyrics must be uploaded on the submission form.
The song should reflect the creative contributions of multiple students. While individual students may take the lead in songwriting or performance, this is intended to be a classroom-based project, not a solo submission. A minimum of six students must be meaningfully involved in the creation and/or performance of the piece.
Songs may be performed live or produced using a simple digital audio workstation (DAW). Submissions should include a video recording of the final work, either a live performance or a student performance synced to the studio recording.
Song criteria
Theme: The song can be about anything the students are passionate about, abiding by the CBC’s content submission guidelines.
Writers: The music and lyrics must be original and created by a student in your class or written collaboratively by the entire class. You must provide the song lyrics.
Remember, your original song entry must use only material that you hold the copyright to, and that you are granting CBC the right to use your original song on our platforms for the contest.
Performance: The submission must include vocals/singing. It can be any combination of instruments or genre with a minimum of six students.
Length: Songs must have a total performance time between one and four minutes.
Elementary classes: An adult accompanist (supportive role only) is allowed to perform with elementary category submissions.
Only public schools and registered charities that do not charge students more than $200 per year to participate in their program are eligible to be shortlisted in the top 10 for these categories. Programs that do not meet this criteria — including private schools and tuition-based programs — are still welcome to participate and may be eligible to receive the Tuition-Based Program Award plaque, which recognizes outstanding submissions from programs with higher participant fees.
