Mayfield Secondary School students win in 2023 Canadian Music Class Challenge

December 21, 2023 · 0 Comments

“Magnetics” win Category 7 of challenge with performance of “I See You”

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A recent “Magnetics” performance stuck with Canadian Music Class Challenge judges.

Magnetics is the performing name of a dedicated group of Mayfield Secondary School students in a music class taught by Jennifer Moon. They recently won Category 7 — Senior Vocal, grades 11 to 12 — of the CBC’s 2023 Canadian Music Class Challenge.

For the win, Mayfield Secondary School will get $3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque.

The Magnetics won with their performance of the song “I See You” by Tyler Shaw.

Hussein Jammohamed, a music educator and judge for the 2023 Canadian Music Class Challenge, reviewed the Magnetics’ performance.

“Congratulations to everyone involved for such a joyous performance. From the moment the music started, I was hooked,” said Jammohamed. “I loved how solo and group voices were woven together. Your voices aligned together as one, expressing pure emotion and heart. I wanted to put your recording on repeat because it just made me smile, and we need more of that in the world.”

Moon explained her music class meets every day for the entire school year and focuses on advanced repertoire in the realm of jazz studies. The class also often works on pop and contemporary crossover pieces.

This year, the Magnetics consist of 18 singers, a rhythm section, and a sound person.

Moon said she chose Shaw’s “I See You” for her class to perform for the challenge this year as it has great messages in its lyrics.

“Kids have different journeys and different things they are dealing with… lyrically, the song hit home with me with the idea of ‘don’t isolate yourself, be there for each other’,” said Moon. “I wanted kids to really connect with that message because I think in COVID, they were so isolated and got away from leaning on others… being around people and having people to lean on will always pull you through.”

A former student of Moon, Matthew Oliveira, arranged the Magnetics’ performance. The performance was recorded live off the floor onto a soundboard in Moon’s classroom, and videotaped using 12 different cell phones. The performance can now be viewed on YouTube.

The Magnetics won’t be sitting on their laurels, as they have an exciting year of study and performance ahead. The Ontario Vocal Festival is going to be held at Mayfield Secondary School in March, and the Magnetics are going to participate in it and help run it. The group also has some gigs with the Peel District School Board coming soon, as well as their spring music night.

Moon said she tries to give her students as much real-world experience as she can, so they can learn skills that will help them whether they choose music as a career or not. Students will be helping market the upcoming vocal festival, designing tickets, helping with setup and takedown, managing the stage, and more.

“It’s a real hands-on course,” said Moon.