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Showcase your Talent Share your Story Win Prizes Showcase your Talent Share your Story Win Prizes Showcase your Talent Share your Story Win Prizes
Bringing Music Education to schools nationwide.
Despite strong evidence that music education improves academic performance, graduation rates, and student engagement, arts programs remain among the most vulnerable to budget cuts.
The Music Matters Challenge aims to reverse this trend by pairing storytelling, creativity, and sustainable investment to restore music education where it’s needed most.
Each year, people from across the country are invited to film their own rendition of the chorus of Let Music Fill My World and share how music has shaped their lives, for the chance to win $10,000 cash and help select a school to receive funding for a full-time music teacher for three years (up to $300,000 in salary support) or for a school to receive a $25,000 grant to support music education and programming.
Entering is easy
Share Your Chorus
Film your own version of the Let Music Fill My World chorus (30 sec – 2 min). Make it yours!
Tell Your Story
In a few sentences, share how music has shaped your life. Big moments, small moments — everything counts.
Send it in
Upload your video and story using the links below. Choose your category (Individual or School). One entry per category.
Spread the Love
Post your entry, tag @letmusicfillmyworld, and rally your community. Public voting decides the winners!
Enter Now Enter Now Enter Now Enter Now Enter Now Enter Now Enter Now Enter Now
Win $10K Cash
Plus the opportunity to help select a school without an existing full-time music teacher to receive funding for three years (up to $300,000).
- You may enter as a solo performer, duo, or group
- You must be 13 years or older to submit
- Entrants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian submit on their behalf
If selected, the person who submits the entry will be the official prize recipient and responsible for distributing the prize if the entry includes multiple performers. Winners will also work with our team to help select a U.S.-based school that currently does not have a music teacher to receive funding for a full-time music teacher.
Win a $25K grant
To boost your music program.
- Each school may submit one entry only
- A school faculty or staff member must act as the official representative and complete the submission
- The prize is awarded to the school, not to an individual
If your school is selected, we’ll contact the nominated staff member to coordinate the grant process. The funds are unrestricted, giving schools flexibility to use the grant in the ways that best support their music program — whether that means purchasing instruments or equipment, investing in professional development, supporting performance opportunities, or building long-term sustainability.
Get inspired by the 2025 Music Matters Challenge Grand Prize winners
Ramon Campos
- 2025 Winner
- Rochester, MN
Read more
His submission featured him teaching neighbors how to play Let Music Fill My World on the Otamatone (yes, that quirky little instrument!), showing how music teachers can spark joy, connection, and confidence in any community.
He used his $10,000 prize to support his cross-country team’s “Donut Dash,” a 5K fundraiser that raised $2,000 this year for a Boys & Girls Club arts program, with remaining funds helping build sustainable support for future events. He has also been selected for Carnegie Hall’s 2025 National Youth Orchestra 2 summer program, and received a scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
Mozart Elementary
- 2025 Winner
- Boston, MA
Read more
Mozart Elementary won the MMC with a joyful submission featuring singing, recorders, drums, and heartfelt student reflections on what music means to them. Their $25,000 grant has already expanded access to the arts: 5th- and 6th-grade students attended a live LAM Dance Works performance at the Emerson Theater, and the school equipped their music teacher with an iPad to enhance instruction, manage digital music resources, and create more engaging lessons for students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Individual Entries
Who can submit an individual entry?
Anyone aged 13 years or older may submit an individual entry to the Music Matters Challenge.
Participants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian submit on their behalf.
Entries may be submitted by:
- A solo performer
- A duo
- A group
What does the individual prize include?
The individual winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and the opportunity to help select a school without an existing full-time music teacher to receive funding for three years (up to $300,000).
The individual who submits the entry will be the official prize recipient. If the submission includes multiple performers, the prize recipient is responsible for distributing the prize among the group as they see fit.
School Entries
What should I know if I am entering as a school?
As entries require a short video performance, schools are responsible for obtaining all required permissions from participating students and their families prior to submission.
Because filming requirements and school policies vary, educators should plan ahead for any necessary approvals, consent forms, and administrative review. Schools may choose the filming approach that works best for their community.
Who can submit an entry on behalf of a school?
Each school may submit one entry only. A school faculty or staff member (such as a teacher, administrator, or music director) must act as the official representative and complete the submission on behalf of the school.
What does the school prize include?
The $25,000 winning prize is awarded directly to the school as a grant to support music education. The prize is not issued to an individual.
If your school is selected, our team will contact the nominated staff member to coordinate the grant issuance.
The funds are unrestricted, giving schools flexibility to use the grant in the ways that best support their music program — whether that means purchasing instruments or equipment, investing in professional development, supporting performance opportunities, or building long-term sustainability.
General
Where should I start?
Start by listening to the song “Let Music Fill My World.” From there, think about how you would like to make it your own.
You can add your own creative interpretation in many ways, such as:
- Performing the song in a different style or genre
- Adding original elements around the main chorus, like a spoken word or rap section
- Rearranging the song or layering multiple instruments
- Performing the song on your own instrument or with a group
Creativity is encouraged, but the performance must still include a clear and recognizable version of the song’s chorus.
For the written section, start by reflecting on how music has impacted you, your school, or your community.
Who is eligible to participate?
The Music Matters Challenge is open to individuals of all ages and eligible schools nationwide, subject to the official rules. Whether you are a rising artist, a seasoned musician, an amateur who simply loves music, or part of a school community, you are invited to participate and help celebrate the power of music!
All participants should review the submission criteria and choose how you want to enter — as an individual or as a school — before you hit submit!
What are the key dates?
Challenge opens: 12:00am ET on Thursday, February 19
Challenge closes: 11:59pm ET on Friday, May 1
Public voting:
Opens 12:00am ET on Monday, May 11.
Closes 11:59pm ET on Sunday, May 17.
Winners announced: Week of 18th
How many entries can be submitted?
Each school and individual entrant is limited to one submission for the Music Matters Challenge. Multiple submissions will not be accepted.
In the case that multiple submissions are received, LMFMW will accept the last submission, unless the applicant requests otherwise.
What should we expect during the public voting period?
After the Top 5 finalists in each category are notified, public voting will begin. Let Music Fill My World will publish the Top 5 finalist videos in each category on our website for public voting. Voting will take place on the website.
LMFMW will also share each finalist video on our Instagram account, posted in no particular order, to help increase visibility for all finalists.
During the voting period, members of the public may vote once per day for their favorite submission in each category. Finalists are encouraged to share their video with their school communities and networks. In past years, finalists have rallied support in a variety of ways, including social media outreach, school newsletters, and local media such as radio stations.
LMFMW will provide a voting toolkit with optional social posts, sample language, and outreach tips to assist with this phase.
Are there any requirements for video submissions?
All entries must feature a recognizable performance of “Let Music Fill My World.” Videos must be between 30 seconds and 2 minutes in length.
Video submissions must be uploaded in one of the following formats: MP4, MOV, WMV, AVI, AVCHD, FLV, WEBM or HTML5.
How will entries be judged?
Eligible submissions will be evaluated based on creativity, musicality, and overall emotional impact. Judges will consider how original and expressive the concept is, the quality of the musical performance or arrangement, and the emotional resonance and clarity of the story conveyed in the written section. Standout submissions will be those that demonstrate a clear artistic vision and leave a lasting impression.
Participants may add their own creative interpretation; however, all entries must feature a recognizable performance of “Let Music Fill My World.” Videos must be between 30 seconds and 2 minutes in length. Video length will not affect judging.
After submissions close, a judging panel will select 5 individual finalists and 5 school finalists.
Final winners will be determined by public voting.
How will I know if my video submission is selected to be in the Top 5?
We will notify you via email if your submission makes it into the Top 5 in either category. So be sure to double-check your contact information before pressing the submit button!
Can my submission be withdrawn?
Yes. If you need to withdraw your submission for any reason, please contact our team before April 28.
How can I support the Challenge if I don't submit an entry?
You can still support the Music Matters Challenge by:
- Voting during the public voting period
- Encouraging someone or a school you think should enter by sharing the Challenge
- Sharing your favourite entries on social media
- Following and engaging with LMFMW and the Challenge online
Follow @letmusicfillmyworld on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook!
Who should we contact if we have questions or technical issues?
Please contact [email protected] with any questions or issues related to school entries.
Hurry! Entries close May 1
Win $10K Cash
Plus the opportunity to help select a school without an existing full-time music teacher to receive funding for three years (up to $300,000).
- You may enter as a solo performer, duo, or group
- You must be 13 years or older to submit
- Entrants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian submit on their behalf
If selected, the person who submits the entry will be the official prize recipient and responsible for distributing the prize if the entry includes multiple performers. Winners will also work with our team to help select a U.S.-based school that currently does not have a music teacher to receive funding for a full-time music teacher.
Win a $25K grant
To boost your music program.
- Each school may submit one entry only
- A school faculty or staff member must act as the official representative and complete the submission
- The prize is awarded to the school, not to an individual