Canadian Music Class Challenge: new library category added
Music programs at Canadian libraries will now be showcased in our annual Music Class Challenge.
An exciting new category has been added to the Canadian Music Class Challenge: the Public Library Performance Prize.
No longer are Canadian libraries synonymous with shushing, as our hallowed lending halls have stepped up to embrace music and digital literacy programs for youth.
"Public libraries continue to transform and modernize. They are not just about books and content consumption anymore; Canadians now go to libraries to create content, including music," says Valérie Landry, the partnerships program manager at CBC/Radio-Canada. "The new CBC Music Class Challenge Library category will leverage that opportunity and showcase some amazing talents."
Public libraries continue to transform and modernize. They are not just about books and content consumption anymore; Canadians now go to libraries to create content, including music.- Valérie Landry, CBC partnerships program manager
For years, the Canadian Music Class Challenge has asked music teachers from across Canada to choose a Canadian song from our list, teach it to their music classes, film the performance, and send us the video for a chance to win great prizes. It's also a unique opportunity to take part in an annual pan-Canadian celebration of music education.
The Public Library Performance Prize joins other Canadian Music Class categories such as the MusiCounts Passion Prize (awarded to the most spirited, fun and passionate performance), the Indigenous Languages Prize, the Community Music Program Prize, and the public school prizes in age categories from kindergarten to Grade 12. All categories focus on youth aged 19 and under.
Each year, thousands of dollars in prizes go out to our winning schools to be invested back into their music programs. The prize for the Public Library Performance will be $1,000 and a plaque.
"We really hope that many public libraries will participate in this new challenge where young people can have fun learning how to play music and sing!" added Landry.
Public libraries with music programs are encouraged to sign up to the Canadian Music Class Challenge once it launches in August, and keep up to date by signing up to our mailing list below, or by joining our Facebook group.
The Public Library Performance Prize is part of CBC's ongoing library partnerships program.
For more information on the Canadian Music Class Challenge, send us an email to musicclass@cbc.ca.
CBC/Radio-Canada's partnerships program with public libraries has been created to engage more deeply with Canadians. With 3,000 branches across Canada located near 90 per cent of the population, libraries offer unmatched proximity to communities from coast to coast to coast. To reach and engage with these communities, we've rolled out a program focused on forging partnerships with these public spaces, which serve as purveyors of culture and spaces for connection — much like the public broadcaster itself.
