^{Laurier choir students pictured with their music teacher, Ms. Jeeyeon Chung (middle row, right).}

For the students at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary school, music means everything. In fact, while the Grade 3s were on a public bus during a recent field trip, the bus erupted in impromptu song. One student stood up to conduct their peers, and the others belted out tunes that would be performed during their upcoming winter concert. This spontaneous show left several fellow passengers moved and teary-eyed. 

Given the Laurier students’ unabashed love for music, it’s no surprise that of the four years they have participated in CBC’s annual Canadian Music Class Challenge, the school’s choirs have placed in the top three, ten times. Nine of those times, they placed first. This year they won first place in three categories: Primary Vocal (kindergarten to Grade 3), Elementary Vocal (grades 4-6) and Junior Vocal (grades 6-7).

Jeeyeon Chung, Laurier’s music teacher for nearly 20 years, may have something to do with the school’s continual success. After completing her teaching degree at UBC in 2003, she was hoping to land a teaching position in a secondary school. Teaching prospects were slim during that era, so she began as a substitute teacher before landing a position at Laurier as a music teacher. 

“I just fell in love with teaching the kids, and I’ve been here ever since,” says Chung.

Chung says preparation for the contest begins during the summer when CBC releases its list of songs choices. The yearly list features a broad range of Canadian artists. “You can choose any of the songs and arrange them any way you want. You can even change the lyrics,” says Chung. Some years, the music teacher tests a few songs with the children to see which is the right fit. This year, she “just knew”.

The judges remarked on Laurier students’ “lovely harmonies” that evoke emotion and their “sweet and warm voices,” in addition to clear diction and sincere interpretations. Chung says she focuses on fundamentals — helping students with precise pronounciation and singing from the diaphragm instead of the chest. Chung always changes the key of the song, adjusting the music for the students’ higher vocal range. 

“This competition has become one of our favourites of the year. The kids love it, but the parents love it even more, we get so much positive feedback from our community,” says Chung.

This year, she even received an email from a teacher in Australia asking if she could share her arrangement. “Unfortunately, I had to tell the teacher that I don’t use sheet music. Everything is in my head. I sing the parts to the children, and I have them copy me,” says Chung. This is how she’s also able to teach students as young as five years old to sing in harmony.

Pulling together recordings of three different groups is no easy feat. The behind-the-scenes effort is largely student-led, with Grade 7 students hooking up microphones, mixers and even the video camera. Chung explains it takes at minimum of one full day to record.

“Some kids have watches that beep every hour,” she laughs. “We have to stop recording for hiccups, sneezes, I could give a million examples. It’s hilarious!”

Over the years, the school has won so much in prizes (gift certificates to Long and McQuaid) that they’ve begun to donate their winnings to others. Most recently, they donated $1,500 to St. James Music Academy, a non-profit that provides music lessons to children in the Downtown Eastside. This year, the choirs are also sharing their prize with the second and third place contestants in their categories. “We want to share the wealth, and the students are always happy to share what they’ve won,” says Chung.

Chung has often had peers and mentors ask her if she wanted to pursue “serious” music at the secondary level. However she says she never looked back. “In some ways, I think the groundwork is more important. I love kids and I just think, music is music,” she says.

This sentiment is indeed reflected in the way in which her students perform. The students take the music seriously and are, in turn, visibly moved by it. From the littlest ones (Eaglets) to the senior students in the chamber choir, all perform to the best of their abilities. It’s also interesting to note the progression in the students’ abilities as they get older, especially evident when watching the three choirs in succession.  

Chung is proud of her students. “I want people to see how capable young people are. Through music, students learn discipline but I also see how much joy it brings them,” she reflects.  

VSB has much to be proud of in the CBC music challenge this year. Not only do we celebrate success at Laurier, Dr. Annie B. Jamieson Elementary School won second place in the Elementary Instrumental (grades 4-6) category. Led by music teacher James Colpitts, every Jamieson intermediate student learns to play the violin or cello as part of their regular school studies. The video features a moving symphony of students expertly playing their chosen instruments. Nootka Community Elementary, which hosts the District’s fine arts choice program, took third place in the same category and features their spunky Ukelele Army led by music teacher Michael Meroniuk.

For the 2024 CBC music challenge, VSB schools won five top three spots in four categories including:

First place: Primary Vocal (kindergarten to Grade 3)

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School performing "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy.

First place: Elementary Vocal (grades 4-6)

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School performing "Little Breeze" by Bobs & LoLo.

First Place: Junior Vocal (grades 7-10)

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School performing "Life Is" by Arkells.

Elementary Instrumental (grades 4-6)

Second place: Dr. Annie B. Jamieson Elementary School performing "You Can Be Anything" by Jeremy and Jazzy.

Third place: Nootka Community Elementary School performing "A Little Bit Happy" by Talk.