Mission Statement

The purpose of the Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest is to assist teachers in their efforts to expand the music experiences of students - primarily through the use of Western art music, commonly referred to as classical music. The contest materials cover classical music, global perspectives and a variety of musical influences. The objective of the contest is to inspire students to become lifelong participants in the musical experience.

The Contest

The Minnesota Music Listening Contest (MLC) is an ideal opportunity to enrich students' experiences with classical music in a fun and competitive environment. This statewide contest connects high school students with classical music and enhances their ability to identify composers, periods and styles. Teachers or coaches recruit three students to form a team. The teams receive a study guide and repertoire compact discs that contain all the musical selections they will need to compete effectively. All teams participate in regional competitions, and first- and second-place teams advance to state competition.