Students Join Canadian Music Class Challenge

Students Join Canadian Music Class Challenge
Posted on 12/14/2022
Students Join Canadian Music Class Challenge

Young musicians across the OCDSB took part in the CBC’s 2022 Canadian Music Class Challenge, collaborating on musical performances and creative videos. Lisgar Collegiate Institute and Bayshore Public School’s entries caught the attention of the judging panel, earning them recognition in the nation-wide competition. 

This annual contest, presented by CBC Music in association with MusiCounts, engages classes across the country with Canadian music. Educators are invited to teach their students a Canadian song from a list of preselected tracks, create a video of the performance, and submit it for a chance to win prizes. 

Lisgar Collegiate Institute’s take on Blue Rodeo’s “Lost Together” earned Third Place in the Senior Instrumental category. The performance was a team effort between the Flute Ensemble, Percussionists, String Musicians, Communications Technology students, and the Film Club. Led by teacher Lani Sommers, they recreated the original music video for the song shot-by-shot, with a uniquely Ottawa and Lisgar Collegiate Institute twist! This marks the school’s second year in a row of being recognized in the Challenge. Check out their performance below:

Lisgar Collegiate Institute

Bayshore Public School's primary choir, led by Stephanie Gal, was recognized in the Top 10 Primary Vocal category. The choir is composed of “curious, confident children who love both singing and nature around them.” This small group of mighty voices dedicated many recesses to learning and performing “Little Spruce” by Rachelle van Zanten. The main theme of this song is reflected in them – these students take care of each other and their community.

Bayshore Public School

Congratulations to all of the students on your well-deserved recognitions!

Here’s a look at more of the outstanding entries from across the OCDSB:


Lisgar Collegiate Institute
’s Saxophone Ensemble, which formed last year, recorded their version of Emanuel’s “Need You,” with a music video featuring photos taken at Lisgar and in iconic locations around Ottawa. The arrangement of the music was created by grade 11 student Alex W. 


Lisgar Collegiate Institute


Sir Robert Borden High School
took a student-driven approach to their cover of “Lost Together” by Blue Rodeo. After two years of limited rehearsal and performance opportunities, the school wanted to use this project to celebrate the return to band and rehearsing in class together. Grade 11 student Ian T. selected the song, arranged all the instrumental parts for the 50-member Grade 10-12 concert band, and conducted the performance.

Sir Robert Borden High School


Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School
shared their take on Trooper’s “We're Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time).” Over the past two years, Mrs. Schrum’s Grade 11 music class had participated in online band rehearsals and made music videos to keep the music going virtually. Their class instrumental performance – which they wrote, learned, and recorded in just over a week – celebrates making music together.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School


Vincent Massey Public School
shared submissions from two newly formed groups: the Ukulele Ensemble featuring grade 4-6 students, and the TrebleMakers featuring Grade 7-8 students. Listen to their performances of "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young and "The Rest of my Life" by Sloan:

Vincent Massey Public School

Vincent Massey Public School


W. Erskine Johnston Public School
’s Recess Guitar Club gives students an opportunity to sing, perform, and learn instruments ranging from guitars to Boomwhackers. The club is open each recess on a drop-in basis, with some students choosing to attend rehearsals twice a day! They have shared their music with the school and local community, including performing at Ottawa’s City Hall. For their fifth year of entering the CBC Music Class Challenge, they recorded “Lost Together” by Blue Rodeo.

W. Erskine Johnston Public School

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