THE TUNE-UP: STUDENT SONGWRITING CONTEST
Music has the power to inspire, heal, and strengthen our mental well-being. It can boost your confidence, help you express yourself, and build a sense of community. By sharing your voice through music, you can make a difference in your life and the lives of others.
Your music matters – let it be heard!
DETAILS:
Three categories: Senior (grades 10-12), Intermediate (7-9), Junior (k-6)
A winning song will be chosen in each category. Songs are adjudicated by a committee of made up of a representative of the Coalition for Music Education, the Canadian Music Educators Association, and SoundsUnite.
Your class may enter as individuals, small groups, or as a class
Contest will run November 2025- March 9th 2026
PRIZING PROVIDED BY METALWORKS STUDIO, METALWORKS INSTITUTE, AND SOUNDSUNITE
SENIOR (Grades 10 – 12)
- Song mixed and mastered at Metalworks Studio
- Metalworks Institute Online Scholarship (Eligibility required by MWI)
- Creative Workshop at Metalworks Studios (Live or Virtual)
- Mentorship opportunities with Music Industry Professionals (Virtual on SoundsUnite)
- Winning song will be featured on our MUSIC MONDAY online broadcast
INTERMEDIATE (grades 7-9)
- Creative Workshop at Metalworks Studios (Live or Virtual/High School/Elementary)
- Mentorship opportunities with Music Industry Professionals (Virtual on SoundsUnite/High School/Elementary)
- Winning song will be featured on our MUSIC MONDAY online broadcast
JUNIOR (grades k-6)
- $200 gift certificate to Long & McQuade musical instruments
- Winning song will be featured on our MUSIC MONDAY online broadcast
*Prizes will be for the classroom
UPLOAD YOUR SONG TO SOUNDSUNITE
- Create an account on SoundsUnite
- Build your profile!
- Upload a track by selecting Create Post in the sidebar
- Click Upload A Song
- Add your audio, a cover image/headshot and title, along with any other information you want to share about your track.
- Make sure you select the Submit to THE TUNE-UP STUDENT SONGWRITING CONTEST 2026 option.
- Click Upload
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 SONGWRITING CONTEST WINNERS
Junior: “The Things You Love”, written and performed by the Grade 6 Students at The Carlyle School
Intermediate: “Hey Mama” written and performed by Elysha Morrison, Sierra Rodriguez, Laritza Alvarez of St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School
Senior: “Spatula Tarantula” written and performed by Rowan Dixon-McCoy, David Cadogan-Blackwood, Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute
We can’t wait to hear your song!
The Tune-Up would not be possible without the support of the following:
