Photo courtesy of CBC / Radio-Canada

As students nationwide return to the classroom this week, CBC Music, in association with MusiCounts, has opened registration to music classes, music clubs, and after-school programs for the Canadian Music Class Challenge (formerly Canada’s Greatest Music Class).

Music classes from elementary through high school nationwide are encouraged to learn and upload a video of their class performing one of 16 selected Canadian songs to the CBC Music website between September 30 and November 23, 2016. A panel of musicians and CBC Music journalists will evaluate applications, with the winning classes receiving a commemorative plaque, and a high-tech classroom recording kit that includes a laptop computer, recording software, speakers, a keyboard, microphones, and more.

The regional shortlist will be revealed on December 7, and the winning classes will be announced on Radio 2 Morning on December 16.

Schools who participate in the Canadian Music Class Challenge also have the opportunity to apply for new instruments and equipment through MusiCounts’ Band Aid Program. Through this program, MusiCounts provides musical instruments in $5,000 and $10,000 value allotments to support public (elementary, secondary, and separate) school programs across Canada.

To enter the contest, a supervising teacher (the “Registrant”) of an eligible music class, after school program, or music club (the “Music Class”) must register their music class by completing the entry form and submit an eligible video performance and “publicity” photo during the submission period.