CBC Music Class Challenge 2026 spring edition: FAQs

The CBC Music Class Challenge powered by MusiCounts is officially open: you can now register here.

Want to know something about the competition? Take a look at our list of frequently asked questions below to find answers.

What is different this spring edition?

This spring we’re doing something different. Your class can choose to either submit a performance of a newly commissioned Indigenous choral work or create, arrange and perform an original song. 

What is the new commissioned Indigenous work?

CBC Music commissioned Indigenous composer Sherryl Sewepagaham to create a new work in Cree specially for this spring edition. The sheet music for this Cree piece is fully modular, with arrangements available for SATB, SA, and unison choir, plus an optional Orff accompaniment. All score versions are available to download free of charge on the MusiCounts website.

What is the criteria for the original song?

For the first time ever, we invite your class to create, arrange and perform an original song for the contest. Students are invited to submit an original song that has been developed collaboratively as a class. Submissions must include original student-written lyrics (i.e. no instrumental-only works), and may be in any musical style or genre.

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. No preferential treatment is given during judging to studio recordings.

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.

How do I enter my class?

First, let us know you’re interested in participating by filling out the quick one-minute registration form. Then, choose one of the two projects above and learn it with your class. Finally, create a video performance with your class and submit it to us no later than April 9 at 8 p.m. E.T. The video, the lyrics, a class photo and a brief description of your class should be attached to the submission form. 

Does my music class qualify?

The contest is free, and open to music classes in many locations including those at a recognized Canadian educational institution (a traditional public school music class, music club or after-school program), private school, or as part of a community music program (held in community centres, private music schools, refugee centres, etc.). Classes must consist of at least six students who are no older than age 18, with a supervising teacher. 

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.

To help ensure that more schools benefit from the MusiCounts grants offered through the Challenge, any school that receives a first-place prize and financial award will become ineligible for first-place or financial awards in any category for the following three years. For example, a school that wins first place in 2026 would next be eligible for a first-place financial award in 2029. These schools are still encouraged to participate and remain eligible to be shortlisted, receive second or third place, and be recognized in other ways.

Can I, as a teacher or instructor, accompany my class in the video?

Yes, accompaniment is fine. We understand that, especially at the elementary levels, kids sometimes need musical support. But the spirit of the competition is to showcase the kids' performances, so make sure your performance is heard and seen as support only, and that the kids are the focal point of the video. For the junior and senior categories, teacher support should be minimal, if at all. Acceptable accompaniment instruments would include (but are not limited to) piano, ukulele and guitar. But, the teacher’s own recording of these instruments for the purpose of accompaniment is allowed. 

Can a class submit more than one video?

No. Each class entered can only submit one video.

Can a student participate in more than one video?

No. Each student can only participate in one class entry.

Do you need anything other than a song uploaded?

Yes. In order to finish your submission, you need a class photo for promotion, lyrics if your class submitted an original song, and a brief description of why your class is so great. This description will be the caption of your YouTube video.

What file format should my video be in?

MP4 or MOV format (most smartphones shoot in this format).

Is there a correct way to name my video file?

Avoid using special symbols and characters in your file name.

What are the categories I can enter my class in?

Upon registration, you'll be asked to choose which category your class will enter. Choose the one that best suits your music class, and that will give your students the fairest hearing. Canadian schools are grouped differently in every province, so if one of these categories doesn't perfectly suit you, choose the one that is closest. Categories are explained in greater detail in our categories post. 

Here are the 2026 spring 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)
• 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)

My class is between categories. Which one should I enter?

We recommend entering the category of the age of the eldest child or majority age in your group.

How are the winners chosen?

The winners will be chosen by our panel of judges, which includes CBC personalities and music teachers. Classes will be judged on the following criteria: level of participation (10 per cent), creativity in interpretation (30 per cent) and overall quality of performance (60 per cent). 

What are the prizes?

For this edition, the winning class in each category will receive a $2,000 grant from MusiCounts. The first, second and third place in each category will also receive a commemorative plaque for the classroom. 

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.

Is a live, off-the-floor recording required?

This year, a live off-the-floor recording is required in categories 1-3. For the original song recording, you are welcome to perform live or use a DAW to capture yourself, as we’ll be more focused on the composition of the song than the recording. In either video, you are required to show video footage of the entire group of students who worked on the song.

What is a live off-the-floor performance?

A live, off-the-floor performance is a single-take live performance that features no editing or multi-track recording. We want to see your music class perform the song live, as if we were sitting in the audience of a school assembly, and an off-the-floor performance is the best way to do this.

If you want to mic different instruments for the purpose of creating a balanced live mix, that's fine. We're trying to avoid the use of multi-tracking, which would create an unfair advantage. Teachers can appear in a supportive role like a piano accompanist, guitarist or conductor, but a teacher cannot be featured as a soloist. 

What should I know if I create a studio recording?

If you choose to create a studio recording/production of your song, you are required to show the act of creating the song, featuring multiple students, either through video clips, or still images that are inserted into the video.

Can I cut in scenes from my school into the video?

Yes, you can cut in as many images of the class or school in video post-production as you wish, as long as we can see your class predominantly performing the song live off the floor for categories 1-3.

Any tips for shooting and audio recording for my video?

Please shoot your video horizontally, landscape-style, as opposed to holding your smartphone vertically. Gyms are fine for large groups but can be the cause of a lot of reverb and echo, so try to use curtains or baffles to absorb sound. Smaller rooms with absorbent surfaces can create the best sound results.

What format should I use for my class description and bio?

Please type in your class description to our submission form.

Who can I contact if I have a question not addressed in the FAQs?

Email musicclass@cbc.ca and a producer will get back to you shortly.

Is there a hashtag I can use to promote my class video?

Yes, #CBCMusicClass.

What are the other benefits of participating in the Challenge?

Besides being a wonderful bonding experience for students, teachers and parents or guardians, your performance could be featured on local and national CBC Radio, TV and digital, and you could get your class in media beyond the CBC.

Do I need to provide a student permission form to the CBC?

No, the CBC does not require permission waivers. You own the video and should make sure all the kids are participating with parental permission before submitting your video. You will be required to select a box on our submission form acknowledging all the students have parental consent.

Will I get confirmation that my video has been received?

You will get a Google Form confirmation when your upload is complete.  Please only contact the CBC team if you have not received a confirmation message. Make sure to check your spam and junk folders first.

When is the last day I can send in my class video?

The deadline for submissions is Thursday, April 9, 2026, 8 p.m. ET. Depending on your internet speed, uploading your video can take time. Please don't leave it until the last minute if possible!

When are the winners announced?

Winners in all categories will be announced Friday, May 29, 2026, at approximately 8 a.m. ET on CBC Music's Mornings and on all other CBC Music platforms. Good luck!