Minnesota Music Listening Contest
Celebrating its 23rd year, The Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest
is an independent not-for-profit competition.jpg)
providing an ideal
opportunity to enrich students' experiences with classical, ethnic,
and popular music in a fun and competitive environment.
In this statewide contest, students develop skills in active listening
and critical analysis by learning to identify composers,
cultures, 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
the state
competition.
Watch a 2-minute video from the 2010 State Competition
New!!
One-year subscription to Naxos Music Library for each
participant. Click for more details.
Register for the 2010-11 Contest
MLC Scholarship Essay Competition information
Discussion & Demonstration with Red Baraat (Sept. 21)
What Participants Say
Coaches
"The thing I truly love about the Minnesota Music Listening Contest is that there are no losers. Inevitably, participants develop new dimensions of musical understanding and a passion for at least one previously undiscovered style of music."
-– Bill Alexander, Duluth Marshall High School
"Hands down, this competition is the best way I can think of to get high school kids interested in classical music."
-– Nicole Ottjes, The International School of Minnesota
"I was asked to start this contest with a former professor from Winona State University, Ivan Olson, about 25 years ago. We decided on a few pieces from the standard literature. We had to find record albums and cassette tapes to study. Now each team member receives three CDs to study and a very detailed book. Much of the information is material that I was first exposed to in college. It’s a great learning experience for the kids."
-– Dave Urness, Mankato East High School
Students
"I felt like it was a very enriching experience. I feel more knowledgeable about the music I listen to and especially more musically aware of other cultures and styles."
"This is my senior year and I've really enjoyed my years in Music Listening. I feel very prepared for college music classes. My playing ability has improved greatly because my ear has developed more."
"It was epic! This was a really good experience."
“Not only did I learn from the experience about some of the most influential pieces in the world, but I also learned a little about myself."
"I cannot believe this is already my senior year! I’ve been a part of Music Listening these past four years, and it’s truly amazing how much I have grown from it. I would like to personally thank you for providing us nerds with such an impeccable opportunity to strut our stuff and put our heart and soul into this competition."
“This was a fabulous year to be in Music Listening Contest! This year it was the coolest music! This Study Guide included the best music from every age and genre. I will encourage every incoming high school student I know to join the MLC team. I highly appreciate what you all do!”
"Everything was extremely well done. I especially liked how the contest was run & even more so the Study Guide. It was logical, eminently understandable, and very well done."
Read "Name that Tune: Classical Style" from the Feb. 17, 2009 Minneapolis StarTribune.
