CBC has unveiled the winners of the 2023 Canadian Music Class Challenge, and two schools on Vancouver Island were recognized.
Each year, CBC invites music classes from across Canada from public or private schools to record a video of a song from their pre-approved list to win.
Prizes in 2023 for winners included $3,000 in gift certificates and a gold trophy for the seven first place winners, and $1,000 in new musical instruments for four separate categories.
For the 2023 CBC Music Class Challenge the two Island schools recognized were Arbutus Global Middle School from Victoria, which won first place for the Junior Vocal (grades 7-10) category, and École Robb Road Elementary School in Comox, which won second place in the Primary Vocal (kindergarten to Grade 3) category.
The Arbutus Global Middle School class performed “Share the Land” by The Guess Who.
“Your clever arrangement allowed for both singers and instrumentalists to shine and I loved the nod to [Johann] Pachelbel! Your bright faces drew us into the storytelling! Arbutus Global Middle School, you should be very proud,” Heidi Wood, choral director at Joane Cardinal Schubert High School and one of the judges said.
“You left it all on the floor with heart, poise and confidence in this wonderful performance! Way to go!”
École Robb Road Elementary School performed “Flowers Need Rain” by Preston Pablo, Banx & Ranx. Comments were only made available for those who came in first place.
READ MORE FROM CBC: Here are the winners of the 2023 Canadian Music Class Challenge
Watch the performance by both classes below:
Laura Brougham
