This Class Notes Virtual Concert features Gaelynn Lea.

1. Gaelynn Lea is a singer, songwriter, and fiddle player from Duluth, MN. In this introductory video, she talks a little bit about her disability, and how she uses accommodations to play her instrument.

Follow up questions:

• What does it mean to “play by ear”?

• What is the difference between a fiddle and a violin?

2. Gaelynn wants to sing a partner song with you! In this next video, she will help you sing a duet with her.

3. In Bird Song, you might have noticed Gaelynn created some layers of sound with her fiddle. She uses a looping pedal to do that. In the next video, she will explain how a looping pedal works.

4. Watch and listen to one final piece, composed by Gaelynn Lea. It features the looping pedal. Several years ago, Gaelynn won a famous contest with this song. You can learn more about that here Gaelynn also recently got asked to write music for a famous play on Broadway. You can learn more about that here.

5. Find further activities and lessons connected to Gaelynn Lea and her music in this curriculum and this set of lesson plans.

Gaelynn Lea: Curriculum

Gaelynn Lea: Lesson Plan

6. Want to learn more about Gaelynn Lea and her music? Book an in-person or Live Virtual Class Notes Concerts here, or contact classnotes@mpr.org for more information.

Welcome to Class Notes Concerts!

After a year of Virtual Class Notes Concerts, YourClassical MPR is returning to the classroom with In-Person School Visits and Live Virtual Concerts. 

Each year, YourClassical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of music.

For more information on booking a concert, check out our Class Notes Concerts 2021-2022 Artist Menu or contact classnotes@mpr.org.

In the coming weeks, we will publish a Class Notes Concert Preview for each artist or ensemble. Find each preview on the YourClassical Music Lessons Page.

These previews will feature:

• Audio and video of each ensemble/artist to use in the classroom or enjoy on your own.

• Ideas, information, and activities to prepare students for an in-person concert or a Live Virtual Field Trip. This information can also be used as a reinforcement tool after students experience an in-person/live virtual concert or as a classroom resource. 

This Class Notes Concert preview features The Mirandola Ensemble.

1. Begin by watching and listening to The Mirandola Ensemble. This piece is called El Grillo, which means “the cricket.” As you listen, notice who is singing the highest notes and who is singing the lowest notes.

2. Each of the singers in The Mirandola Ensemble has a different voice type. In the next series of videos, each singer will talk a little bit about their voice type and the things they need to do to sing well.

Follow-up questions for discussion or journaling:

• Which voice type sings the highest notes or pitches?  Which voice types sing the lowest?

• Compare and contrast the voice types.

• What are some things all singers must do to sing well?

3. Listen to The Mirandola Ensemble perform one more piece. Notice how the different voice types work together to create layers of sound.

4. Here is one more video featuring The Mirandola Ensemble. It is from a few years ago, so there are some different ensemble members. They will review their voice types, and they will share a lot of techniques about how to sing well.

5. Want to learn more about The Mirandola Ensemble and their music? Book an in-person or Live Virtual Class Notes Concerts here, or contact classnotes@mpr.org for more information.

Welcome to Class Notes Concerts!

After a year of Virtual Class Notes Concerts, YourClassical MPR is returning to the classroom with In-Person School Visits and Live Virtual Concerts. 

Each year, YourClassical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of music.

For more information on booking a concert, check out our Class Notes Concerts 2021-2022 Artist Menu or contact classnotes@mpr.org.

In the coming weeks, we will publish a Class Notes Concert Preview for each artist or ensemble. Find each preview on the YourClassical Music Lessons Page.

These previews will feature:

• Audio and video of each ensemble/artist to use in the classroom or enjoy on your own.

• Ideas, information, and activities to prepare students for an in-person concert or a Live Virtual Field Trip. This information can also be used as a reinforcement tool after students experience an in-person/live virtual concert or as a classroom resource. 

This Class Notes Concert preview features Lyra Baroque Orchestra.

1. Lyra Baroque Orchestra specializes in music of the Baroque (buh-ROKE) era. “Baroque” is a word used to describe the time period between the years of 1580-1750 or so, or music of the 17th and 18th centuries. Listen and watch Lyra Baroque Orchestra play a piece called Lama Bada Yatathama. 

Notice that all the musicians start by clapping a rhythm together. One by one, they begin playing instruments. See if you can name each instrument as it begins playing.

2. Musicians in Lyra Baroque Orchestra play on historic instruments, or instruments that were used at the time this music was composed, instead of modern instruments. Modern instruments and their Baroque ancestors have many things in common and also some key differences. 

In the next three videos, Marc, Tulio, and Joseph will talk about their instruments and compare them to modern counterparts.

Follow-up questions for journaling or discussion.   

• Name two similarities and two differences between the modern violin and the Baroque violin. 

• The viola da gamba has six strings. Can you name a modern instrument that also has six strings? 

• Name two similarities and two differences between the modern bassoon and the Baroque dulcian. 

3. Cléa plays the recorder. In the next video, she will show you several different kinds of recorder. After watching, can you explain to someone how the size of the recorder affects the sound?

4. Donald plays the harpsichord. Learn about this instrument in the next video.

5. Here are two additional performances by Lyra Baroque Orchestra. As you watch and listen, notice the details on their instruments. Can you explain how each makes its sound?

6. Want to learn more about Lyra Baroque Orchestra and their music? Book an in-person or Live Virtual Class Notes Concerts here, or contact classnotes@mpr.org for more information.

Welcome to Class Notes Concerts!

After a year of Virtual Class Notes Concerts, YourClassical MPR is returning to the classroom with In-Person School Visits and Live Virtual Concerts. 

Each year, YourClassical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of music.

For more information on booking a concert, check out our Class Notes Concerts 2021-2022 Artist Menu or contact classnotes@mpr.org.

In the coming weeks, we will publish a Class Notes Concert Preview for each artist or ensemble. Find each preview on the YourClassical Music Lessons Page.

These previews will feature:

• Audio and video of each ensemble/artist to use in the classroom or enjoy on your own.

• Ideas, information, and activities to prepare students for an in-person concert or a Live Virtual Field Trip. This information can also be used as a reinforcement tool after students experience an in-person/live virtual concert or as a classroom resource. 

This Class Notes Concert preview features The Paper Clips.

1. Begin by watching and listening to The Paper Clips play a piece.

You probably noticed they all play the same instrument – the trombone. If you looked closely, you might have noticed that some of the trombones were slightly different sizes.

2. Let’s meet the four musicians in The Paper Clips. We will hear about each member of the trombone family and learn about how to produce a sound on the trombone.

Follow-up questions for discussion or journaling:

• Can you explain how trombone players make a sound on their instrument?

• What are some different parts of the trombone?

• How does the slide change the sound on a trombone?

• How does the size of each different kind of trombone affect its sound?

3. Now that we have learned about the different members of the trombone family, let’s hear how they work together to make music, kind of like voices in a choir.

4. Want to learn more about The Paper Clips and their music? Book an in-person or Live Virtual Class Notes Concerts here, or contact classnotes@mpr.org for more information about The Paper Clips.

Welcome to Class Notes Concerts!

After a year of Virtual Class Notes Concerts, YourClassical MPR is returning to the classroom with In-Person School Visits and Live Virtual Concerts. 

Each year, YourClassical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of music.

For more information on booking a concert, check out our Class Notes Concerts 2021-2022 Artist Menu or contact classnotes@mpr.org.

In the coming weeks, we will publish a Class Notes Concert Preview for each artist or ensemble. Find each preview on the YourClassical Music Lessons Page.

These previews will feature:

• Audio and video of each ensemble/artist to use in the classroom or enjoy on your own.

• Ideas, information, and activities to prepare students for an in-person concert or a Live Virtual Field Trip. This information can also be used as a reinforcement tool after students experience an in-person/live virtual concert or as a classroom resource. 

This Class Notes Concert preview features Mill City String Quartet.

1. Begin by watching and listening to the Mill City String Quartet play an excerpt from the String Quartet #3 by Daniel Bernard Roumain.

2. Have you heard of a string quartet before? If you know that “quartet” means four, then you probably know there are four musicians in a string quartet. And “string” tells us they play instruments in the string family. Do you know what instruments are included in a string quartet? Hint: there are just three different kinds of instruments, since two people play the same instrument. 

Let’s meet the four musicians in the Mill City String Quartet. They will tell you about their instruments.

Follow-up questions for discussion or journaling:

• Can you list the three different instruments included in a string quartet? Which instrument makes the highest sounds? Which makes the lowest?

• Compare and contrast string instruments. What are some common features of all three instruments? How is the cello different from the viola? How is the viola different from the violin?

• Each string player can make a sound on her instrument in at least two different ways. Can you explain two different ways the player can make her string vibrate to create a sound?

3. Musical compositions often follow patterns. A common musical pattern is “A-B-A”. In an ABA pattern, we hear one thing, then something different, then that first thing again. In this next video featuring the Mill City String Quartet, they will play a piece that follows this pattern. Create a listening grid like the one below. As you watch and listen, write some descriptive words or draw pictures to show what you hear in each section.

Find out more about ABA form in music in this Class Notes Video.

4. Want to learn more about the Mill City String Quartet and their music? Book an in-person or Live Virtual Class Notes Concerts here, or contact classnotes@mpr.org for more information about Mill City String Quartet.

Welcome to Class Notes Concerts!

After a year of Virtual Class Notes Concerts, YourClassical MPR is returning to the classroom with In-Person School Visits and Live Virtual Concerts. 

Each year, YourClassical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of music.

For more information on booking a concert, check out our Class Notes Concerts 2021-2022 Artist Menu or contact classnotes@mpr.org.

In the coming weeks, we will publish a Class Notes Concert Preview for each artist or ensemble. Find each preview on the YourClassical Music Lessons Page.

These previews will feature:

• Audio and video of each ensemble/artist to use in the classroom or enjoy on your own.

• Ideas, information, and activities to prepare students for an in-person concert or a Live Virtual Field Trip. This information can also be used as a reinforcement tool after students experience an in-person/live virtual concert or as a classroom resource. 

This Class Notes Concert preview features Siama’s Congo Roots. 

1. Begin by watching and listening to Siama’s Congo Roots perform a song that Siama wrote called Ko Yimbi Ko.

2. The first video featured several different instruments. In the next video, Tim will explain a little bit about some of the instruments he plays.

3. Siama comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is also called DRC. DRC is on the continent of Africa. Take a look on the map below to see where DRC is located.

4. Next, watch Siama’s Congo Roots perform Yele Yele.

5. Find a few more resources about Siama’s Congo Roots here. Find some lesson plans and activity ideas for Siama’s Congo Roots here.

6. Want to learn more about Siama’s Congo Roots and their music? Book an in-person or Live Virtual Class Notes Concerts here, or contact classnotes@mpr.org for more information about Siama’s Congo Roots.

¡Bienvenido a Class Notes Concerts!

Después de un año de Virtual Class Notes Concerts (Conciertos virtuales de Class Notes), YourClassical MPR vuelve al salón de clases con In-Person School Visits (Visitas a la escuela en persona) y Live Virtual Concerts (Conciertos virtuales en vivo).

Cada año, YourClassical MPR alcanza a miles de estudiantes alrededor de Minnesota a través del programa Class Notes Concerts. Diseñados para captar la atención e inspirar a estudiantes de educación primaria a través de presentaciones musicales en vivo, estos conciertos ayudan a cultivar habilidades auditivas y permiten que los estudiantes disfruten de la música clásica.

Para más información sobre cómo programar un concierto, visiten a Class Notes Concerts 2021-2022 Artist Menu o contacten a classnotes@mpr.org.

En las semanas que vienen, publicaremos un Class Notes Concert Preview (Previa del concierto de Class Notes) para cada artista o grupo. Busquen cada previa en la página YourClassical Music Lessons.

Estas previas incluirán:

• Audio y video de cada grupo/artista para usar en el salón de clases o disfrutar individualmente.

• Ideas, información, y actividades para preparar a los estudiantes para un concierto en vivo o un Live Virtual Field Trip (Excursión virtual en vivo). Esta información se puede usar también como un recurso en el salón de clases o para reforzar el aprendizaje después de que los estudiantes experimenten un concierto virtual vivo/en persona. 

La primera previa de los conciertos de Class Notes presenta a Border CrosSing. 

1. Comiencen por mirar y escuchar a Border CrosSing interpretar Xicochi conetzintle de Gaspar Fernandes.

Esta pieza incluye cantantes y varios instrumentos. ¿Notaron el instrumento que se parecía a pezuñas de cabra? Aprendan un poco más sobre ese instrumento en el próximo video.

Shahzore explicó que un instrumento de percusión es cualquier cosa que se agita, se raspa, o se golpea. ¿Pueden notar algunos instrumentos de percusión que corresponden a esa definición? ¿A cuál sonido específico imitan las pezuñas de cabra en Xicochi conetzintle?

2. Miren los tres instrumentos de abajo. De izquierda a derecha, son el bombo, el charango, y el contrabajo. ¿A cuál familia de instrumentos pertenece cada uno? ¿Cuales características les ayudan a adivinar la familia correcta?

El próximo video incluye estos tres instrumentos. Vean y escuchen a Border CrosSing interpretar Hanacpachap Cussicuinin, anónimo, siglo 17. “Anónimo” significa que no sabemos quién compuso esta pieza originalmente.

Después de escuchar y mirar, por favor, responde a estas preguntas:

• ¿Cómo describirían esta música?

• ¿Qué notaron mientras veían? ¿Qué escucharon? Escriban algunas observaciones, o conversen con un compañero o con un grupo pequeño.

3. Vean y escuchen a Border CrosSing interpretar El cantarico, compuesto por Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco. Esta canción cuenta un cuento y tiene varios personajes distintos. Mientras ven, intenten averiguar lo que pasa en el cuento.

Ahora Ahmed explicará el cuento de El cantarico. Cada cantante explicará cómo usa su voz para crear a su personaje. También aprenderemos cómo usa Nico los instrumentos para contar el cuento.

4. Ahmed hablará sobre la próxima pieza de Border CrosSing, y les enseñará a cantar parte de ella.   

Ahora vean a Border CrosSing interpretar Alma llanera. ¿Recuerdan las letras y los gestos de la mano que coinciden con ellas? Canten mientras ven y escuchan.

5. ¿Quieren aprender más sobre Border CrosSing y su música? Programen un concierto en persona o virtual (en vivo) de Class Notes aquí, o contacten a classnotes@mpr.org para más información sobre Border CrosSing.

Welcome to Virtual Class Notes Concerts!

Each year, Classical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of classical music.

Due to current circumstances, we have adapted the concert content to provide a virtual Class Notes Concert. Today's YourClassical Music Lesson will be a virtual Class Notes concert featuring Robot Rickshaw.

Target age range: Grades 2-8

1. Meet Troy Rogers, the creator or Robot Rickshaw, a music-making robot. In this first video, he will explain the different parts of his instrument.

2. Now Troy will explain a bit more about the unpitched instruments on Robot Rickshaw.

Troy talks a little bit about timbre (TAM-ber), or the idea that every object and instrument has its own unique and special sound. Learn more about timbre in the Class Notes Video: Color in Music–Germaine Tailleferre.

3. Next, Troy will go into detail about the three pitched instruments on Robot Rickshaw.

Follow-up questions for journaling or discussion:

• What instrument is CARI like?
• What is the difference between pitched and unpitched components?
• Name at least two unpitched instruments that make up APE, or "Automated Percussion Ensemble."

4. Now it is time to hear one of Troy Rogers' compositions for Robot Rickshaw. Before you watch and listen, think a little bit about how you would define music. Consider these two questions:

• How is music different from sound?
• How is music different from noise?

Now that you have seen and heard this piece, do you think it was music? Do you think it was noise? Was it some of both? Explain your thoughts through writing or discussion.

5. Finally, Troy Rogers will review the components of Robot Rickshaw and summarize what you saw and heard.

Learn More

• Here's one more video where Troy Rogers plays a piece he wrote for Robot Rickshaw:

• Here is a full curriculum and set of lesson plans for using Robot Rickshaw in the classroom.

Tell us what you learned!

Getting feedback from our audience helps make this program possible. Students, teachers, and parents, please take a minute to complete this short survey about this Virtual Class Notes Concerts.

Have a question or suggestion? Contact Katie Condon, music education specialist.

More: View all of our YourClassical Music Lessons

Welcome to Virtual Class Notes Concerts!

Each year, Classical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of classical music.

Due to current circumstances, we have adapted the concert content to provide a virtual Class Notes Concert. Today's YourClassical Music Lesson will be a virtual Class Notes concert featuring Gaelynn Lea.

Target age range: Grades K-8

1. Meet Gaelynn Lea. She's a violinist and a songwriter from Duluth, MN.

Write down or tell someone three things you learned from Gaelynn Lea's introduction.

2. Listen and watch Gaelynn Lea play a traditional fiddle tune called Southwind.

Follow up questions for discussion, journaling, or reflection:
• What does it mean to "play by ear?"
• Is a fiddle a different instrument than the violin?
• What is a waltz?
• How are beats organized in a waltz?

3. Gaelynn Lea frequently uses a looping pedal in her music. In the next video, she will explain how a looping pedal works.

There are many kinds of looping pedals. Look at the picture below and explain how a looping pedal works.

4. Next, Gaelynn Lea will play a piece that features the looping pedal.

Gaelynn Lea wrote this song about important friendships. In 2016, this song won a famous songwriting contest called the Tiny Desk Concert contest.

5. Gaelynn's next piece is a duet, which means there is a part for you! Get ready to sing. Gaelynn will tell you what to sing, and when to sing it.

6. Finally, Gaelynn Lea will review a few key ideas from her virtual Class Notes Concert.

Tell us what you learned!

Getting feedback from our audience helps make this program possible. Students, teachers, and parents, please take a minute to complete this short survey about this Virtual Class Notes Concerts.

Have a question or suggestion? Contact Katie Condon, music education specialist.

More: View all of our YourClassical Music Lessons

Welcome to Virtual Class Notes Concerts!

Each year, Classical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of classical music.

Due to current circumstances, we have adapted the concert content to provide a virtual Class Notes Concert. Today's YourClassical Music Lesson will be a virtual Class Notes concert featuring the Mill City String Quartet.

Target age range: Grades K-8

1. Meet the Mill City String Quartet!

Questions for discussion, reflection, or journaling:

• What are the three instruments in a string quartet?
• How long has Mill City String Quartet been playing music together?
• What are some things Mill City String Quartet needs to do to play well together?

2. In the previous video, Huldah explained the next piece, by the composer DBR, was inspired by civil rights leader Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

Composer DBR goes by his initials.

He was born in 1970 and blends a lot of different genres, or styles, into his music. Learn a little bit more about him and his music here or on his website.

3. Now it's time to learn about the violin! Huldah will tell you some things about her instrument.

Take a look at the diagram of a violin, below. Can you point to and name the following parts?

• Strings
• Pegs
• Neck
• Fingerboard
• Bridge
• Tailpiece

4. Learn a little more about the violin! Erika will explain how using her fingers on the strings change the pitch on her instrument.

Can you explain to someone how violinists use their fingers to change the notes they play? How do they use their fingers to create higher sounds? What about lower sounds?

5. Now it's time to meet Valerie and hear about the viola.

Write down or explain to someone how the violin and the viola are different. Do you remember what ponticello means? To which part of the instrument does it refer?

6. Ruth will introduce you to her instrument, the cello.

What is the big difference between the cello and the other instruments in this video? What does a rock stop do? Why does Ruth love playing the cello? What are two things she thinks about when playing her cello?

7. Mill City String Quartet will play another piece. This piece follows a common musical form: ABA. This means we hear one section, then something that sounds different, then it returns to what we heard in the beginning.

Draw a listening box like the one below. Use the empty boxes to describe each section, through adjectives (describing words) or pictures.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a British composer who lived between the years 1875-1912. You can learn more about him here.

Learn more about ABA structure with the YourClassical Music Lesson: Patterns in Music.

8. Finally, Mill City String Quartet will review a few key ideas from their Class Notes Concert.

Learn more

You can learn more about the Mill City String Quartet on their website.

Tell us what you learned!

Getting feedback from our audience helps make this program possible. Students, teachers, and parents, please take a minute to complete this short survey about this Virtual Class Notes Concerts.

Have a question or suggestion? Contact Katie Condon, music education specialist.

More: View all of our YourClassical Music Lessons

Welcome to Virtual Class Notes Concerts!

Each year, Classical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of classical music.

Due to current circumstances, we have adapted the concert content to provide a virtual Class Notes Concert. Today's YourClassical Music Lesson will be a virtual Class Notes concert featuring the OK Factor.

Target age range: Grades K-8

1. Meet Olivia and Karla, the two members of The OK Factor. In their introduction, they will explain the name of their group and tell you two things they must do to play well together.

2. Let's hear what they sound like when they play together. In the next video, The OK Factor will play their version of a traditional tune, Shenandoah. Notice the two ways they make sound on their instruments.

When a string player plucks the string to make a sound, it is called pizzicato (pit-zah-KAH-toe.) When a string player uses the bow to make a sound, it is called arco (AR-koe.) Learn more about pizzicato technique with the YourClassical Music Lesson: Pizzicato Party.

3. Karla plays the violin. Listen to her tell you a few things about her instrument.

• The violin is a part of which instrument family?
• The violin is the smallest instrument in its instrument family. Can you explain what that means in terms of its pitch, or how high and low it can play?

4. Olivia plays the cello. She will tell you some things about her instrument.

• Name two similarities between the violin and the cello.
• Name two differences between the violin and the cello.

Learn more about the cello in the YourClassical Music Lesson: Cello Magic.

5. The OK Factor will play another piece called Switchback.

Remember that in Switchback, the melody was passed back and forth between the cello and violin. Could you hear who played the melody and who played the accompaniment? Did you notice when it switched? If you want to test yourself, listen again. Every time you hear the violin play the melody, point to the violin. Every time the cello plays the melody, point to the cello. Create violin and cello flashcards for an extra challenge. See sample pictures below. Bonus points if you add labels for different parts of each instrument.

Karla also mentioned that Switchback had a lot of noticeable dynamic changes, or changes in the volume of the music. Learn a little more about dynamics the the YourClassical Music Lesson: Piano and Forte, the Dynamics Duo.

6. Before their last piece, The OK Factor will explain a few special techniques that make this piece interesting and fun.

7. As you watch and listen to The OK Factor play their last piece, notice the following techniques:

• Chopping
• Accented rhythmic patterns
• Ricochet

You can learn more about interesting cello techniques in the Class Notes Video: Technique, Virtuosity, and Soul.

8. Finally, The OK Factor will review a few key ideas from their virtual Class Notes Concert.

Learn More

Find out more about The OK Factor on their website.

Tell us what you learned!

Getting feedback from our audience helps make this program possible. Students, teachers, and parents, please take a minute to complete this short survey about this Virtual Class Notes Concerts.

Have a question or suggestion? Contact Katie Condon, music education specialist.

More: View all of our YourClassical Music Lessons

Welcome to Virtual Class Notes Concerts!

Each year, Classical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of classical music.

Due to current circumstances, we have adapted the concert content to provide a virtual Class Notes Concert. Today's YourClassical Music Lesson will be a virtual Class Notes concert featuring the Concordia Wind Quintet.

Target age range: Grades K-8

1. First, meet the Concordia Wind Quintet.

Concordia Wind Quintet talked about adjustments they have made so they can play safely during the COVID pandemic. What adjustments have you made during quarantine?

2. Deb plays the flute. She will tell you a few things about her instrument.

Write down or tell someone two things you learned or noticed about the flute.

3. Leigh plays the clarinet. He will tell you a few things about his instrument.

Leigh puts a little piece of wood on the end of his mouthpiece. Do you remember what it is called? What kind of wood is used to make it? Learn more about the clarinet with the YourClassical Music Lesson: Meet the Clarinet lesson.

4. Stephanie plays the oboe. Learn about her instrument.

Write down or explain to someone how the oboe is different from the clarinet.

5. Russ plays the bassoon. He will explain how his instrument makes a sound.

Can you explain how Russ makes a sound on his bassoon? Learn more about the bassoon with the YourClassical Music Lesson: Bassoon Basics lesson.

6. Karen plays the French horn, which is sometimes just called "horn." She will tell you a little about her instrument.

What is the big difference between how Karen makes her sound compared with all the other members of the quintet? What are the two ways Karen can change the pitch on her instrument, or make sounds go higher and lower? Learn more about the French horn with the YourClassical Music Lesson: French Horn Frenzy lesson.

7. Listen to Concordia Wind Quintet play all together again. This piece, called "Flamenco," was composed by Russ, the bassoon player.

Follow-up questions for reflection, discussion, or journaling:

• What is flamenco?
• What special instrument does Russ play in this piece?
• What does it mean to improvise?
• What are two things that flamenco dancers do?

Listen to another piece inspired by flamenco in this YourClassical Music Lesson: Patterns in Music.

8. Concordia Wind Quintet has one more piece for you today. Amazing Grace is a traditional tune, but Russ arranged it for this group. The melody, or tune, will be passed around between instruments. See if you can name who plays the melody first. There is a bit of a surprise toward the end.

9. Finally, Concordia Wind Quintet will review a few key facts from their concert.

Do your own review by naming each instrument in the box below and writing down or saying out loud one fact about each instrument. Bonus points if you can name the two "surprise" instruments Russ played.

Tell us what you learned!

Getting feedback from our audience helps make this program possible. Students, teachers, and parents, please take a minute to complete this short survey about this Virtual Class Notes Concerts.

Have a question or suggestion? Contact Katie Condon, music education specialist.

More: View all of our YourClassical Music Lessons

Welcome to Virtual Class Notes Concerts!

Each year, Classical MPR reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of classical music.

Due to current circumstances, we have adapted the concert content to provide a virtual Class Notes Concert. Today's Classical Kids Music Lesson will be a virtual Class Notes concert featuring The Dream Songs Project.

Target age range: Grades K-8

1. Meet The Dream Songs Project!

2. Do you remember some of the things that Joe and Alyssa need to do to play well together? See if you notice them do some of those things as they perform Platting, Roseville Township, by Christopher Gable.

Do you remember why the composer asked Joe to play percussively, or tap on his guitar? What were those sounds supposed to sound like? Write down your answer or tell someone.

3. Alyssa is a singer. Listen to her explain her voice type.

Follow-up questions for reflection, discussion, or journaling:

• What is Alyssa's voice type?
• What are two things Alyssa needs to do so she can sing well?
• Altos can use two different kinds of voices. Can you name both of them? (Hint: they refer to parts of the human body.)
• What did Alyssa do to get better at singing?

4. The next piece is "Drink Deep," from Songs of Cowboys and Hobos, by Daniel Nass. First, watch and listen.

At the beginning of the piece, Joe explained that the text of this song is about enjoying what you have today because you don't know what you will have tomorrow. Reflect, journal, or discuss your thoughts on this idea. What things do you enjoy today? How do you express your gratitude?

5. Joe plays guitar. In this video, he will talk a little about his instrument.

Follow-up questions for reflection, discussion, or journaling:

• How many strings do most guitars have?
• Can you explain how a guitar makes a sound?
• Joe demonstrated many different kinds of sounds that a guitar can make. Did you have a favorite?

6. The next piece is called Finch, Worm by composer Randy Bauer. Look at the pictures below, first an earthworm, then a finch. Can you write or say out loud a few descriptive words for each animal? How do you think the composer will make music to sound like each of these animals?

7. The last piece of music in this virtual Class Notes Concert is called "Bread," from by Daniel Nass. This song is about being hungry. The text lists a few foods that the singer wants to eat. As you listen, think about what foods you would sing about when you are really hungry.

8. Finally, Joe and Alyssa will review a few key ideas from their Class Notes Concert.

Learn More

• Find out more about The Dream Songs Project.
• Listen to more of the Minnesota composers you heard in this concert: Randy Bauer, Christopher Gable, and Daniel Nass.

Tell us what you learned!

Getting feedback from our audience helps make this program possible. Students, teachers, and parents, please take a minute to complete this short survey about this Virtual Class Notes Concerts.

Have a question or suggestion? Contact Katie Condon, music education specialist.

More: View all of our Classical Kids Music Lessons

Welcome to Class Notes Concerts!

Designed to engage and inspire elementary students through live performance, these concerts cultivate active listening skills and give children an opportunity to experience the joy of music.

Due to current circumstances, we have adapted the concert content to provide a virtual Class Notes Concert. All virtual Class Notes Concerts will be available on the Classical Kids Music Lessons webpage, beginning in late fall 2020.

Meet this year's roster of Class Notes Concerts artists.

Afoutayi Dance Music and Arts Company

Border CrosSing

LISTEN — Tleycan timochoquilia
Gaspar Fernandes
Border CrosSing

Chione Quintet

Concordia Wind Quintet

LISTEN — 5 More (Not So Easy) Dances – II. Bossa Nova
Russ Peterson
Concordia Wind Quintet

The Dream Songs Project

LISTEN — Songs of Cowboys and Hobos VI. Edge of Town
Daniel Nass
The Dream Songs Project

NEW ARTIST: e(L)ement

Gaelynn Lea

LISTEN — Watch the World Unfold
Gaelynn Lea

Kroehm Duo

Lux String Quartet

LISTEN — String Quartet (excerpt)
György Ligeti
Lux String Quartet

Mill City String Quartet

LISTEN — Quartet No. 1 in D minor I. Allegro
Juan Arriaga
Mill City String Quartet

The Mirandola Ensemble

LISTEN — Fine Knacks for Ladies
John Dowland
The Mirandola Ensemble

LISTEN — Liz's Porch
The OK Factor

Robot Rickshaw

To learn a little bit more about what Robot Rickshaw does, watch this video:

Interested in a personalized virtual greeting or Q & A session with an artist? Contact Claire Utecht at classnotes@mpr.org for more information.

Interested in having a Class Notes Artist visit your or your child's school? Simply fill out this form!

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Flying Forms members Marc Levine, baroque violin, Tulio Rondon, viola da gamba, and Tami Morse, harpsichord, chatted with Julie Amacher about the cultural exchange between Europe and Latin America during the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

• Domenico Zipoli: Sonata for Violin and continuo

1. Traditional: Villancico

1. Marin Marais: Sarabande

1. Claudio Montevideo: Chaconne "Zefiro torno"

At one of the schools, I think about 80% of the class raised their hands when I asked them if they knew any Spanish. I'm from Venezuela originally and they all came to me afterwards and asked all their questions in Spanish which was very nice.
— Tulio Rondon

Merilee Klemp, clarinet, and Laurie Hatcher-Merz, bassoon, of the Riverside Winds sat down with Julie Amacher to talk about their "American Landscapes" program of contemporary and local composers.

• Carol Barnett: Shaker Suite "Scenes of Glory"

1. Eric Stokes: Seagull Waltz

1. Stuart Balcomb: Ellis Island

Most of us in the group have done many school programs through different ensembles. But I think you never quite get over the surprise of how enthusiastic these kids are and the great energy for the music.
— Laurie Hatcher-Merz

Violinist Erika Blanco and violist Benjamin Davis of the Lux String Quartet sat down with Julie Amacher to talk about using their Class Notes Artist performance to teach the importance of collaboration in group.

• Carlos Gardel: Tango "Por una cabeza"

1. Danish folk song (arr. the Danish String Quartet): Ye Honest Bridal Couple

Through collaboration using the string quartet as an example, we demonstrate how in a quartet or in a classroom or in a lunch line it's important to be respectful and kindly to each other.
— Benjamin Davis

Artistic director and tenor Nick Chalmers and bass Matthew Culloton of the Mirandola Ensemble sat down with Julie Amacher to chat about bringing music from four centuries and six continents to children in the Twin Cities and beyond.

• Gaspar Fernandez (arr. the Mirandola Ensemble): Xicochi

1. Stephen Foster: Gentle Annie

1. Orlando di Lassus: Matona mia cara

We're using music as a way to shrink the globe. If we can just make the world a little bit smaller and see that we do have these common themes that we share from all over then that, I think, is one important role that we serve. — Matthew Culloton

Allison Hall, trumpet, and Tim Bradley, French horn, of the Copper Street Brass sat down with Julie Amacher to talk about their Class Notes Artist experience.

Pieces performed in the chat:

• Nino Rota (arr. Tim Bradley): Tarantella from The Godfather

1. Ben Folds (arr. Tim Bradley):Fred Jones Part II.

1. American folk song (arr. Tim Bradley):Variations on Chester and Yankee Doodle Dandy

We always program a song that the kids are gonna know the words to. This year we played the song "How Far I'll Go" from Disney's Moana which is very popular with the kiddos. And it is so powerful to hear 300 young people singing in unison. It is just this immense sound coming back at us as we're playing these pieces that they're singing along to. I remember in one school, a teacher coming up to me and she was in tears because of this powerful sound of the kids singing to this song. — Tim Bradley

Vibraphone player Andres Crovetti and tabla player Krissy Bergmark of the percussion ensemble Matra sat down with Julie Amacher to chat about their Class Notes Artist experience the second time around.

• Krissy Bergmark: 10AM

1. Mathew Solace: Until We Get There

Sometimes we get mail from the students, and I love looking at their drawings and what they write and what they remember about the presentation. Their drawings are really fun to look at, like the way that they portray marimba and tabla and some of the drum set drawings are amazing, really accurate. We've gotten some really wonderful feedback. — Krissy Bergmark, tabla

Artistic director and alto Linda Kachelmeier and soprano Kim Sueoka from women's vocal ensemble Lumina sat down with Julie Amacher to talk about their October 2017 Southwest Minnesota schools tour to bring students songs from around the world.

• Japanese folk song: Hotaru koi

1. Antonio Estevez: Mata del anima sola

1. Spiritual (arr. J. David Moore): Will the Circle be Unbroken

We had a great time. First of all, MPR put together a wonderful tour of these schools and we were able to reach students that we normally don't get to perform for in places that we don't get to in Lumina. So this was a great opportunity to see some new students and faculty. — Linda Kachelmeier

Rose Ensemble artistic director and tenor Jordan Sramek and mezzo-soprano Alyssa Anderson sat down with Julie Amacher to chat about the group's experience in Twin Cities schools as a Class Notes Artist.

Members of the Rose Ensemble presented a program of music of "The Three Faiths": Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They featured instruments from the Middle East and languages such as Ladino (spoken by Sephardic Jews), Latin and Arabic. You can hear the ensemble members demonstrate their instruments by clicking the player above.

The pieces performed in the performance chat are:

• Traditional Sephardic: Cuando 'l Rey Nimrod

1. 12th C. Chant: Cives Celestis

1. Trad. Sufi melody: Sallatu Allah

Jordan Sramek said that given the diversity of Minnesota, "It's been exciting for us to be able to bring this music and a story of a kind of common denominator in a positive way, has been really inspiring for us."

Concordia Wind Quintet members Deb Harris (flute), Leigh Wakefield (clarinet) and Russell Peterson (bassoon) sat down with Julie Amacher to discuss their experience visiting schools in small-town, rural Minnesota as a Class Notes Artist.

The music performed in the performance chat was:

• Russell Peterson: Five More (Not So Easy) Dances, II. Bossa Nova

1. Valerie Coleman: Umoja

1. Trad. Polka

Harris, on playing for kids with Concordia Wind Quintet: "I think it's really fun because we do really enjoy each other as friends and we've been playing together for some many years. I was thinking at our last concert, we've been playing this piece for so many years and we still play it in a genuine, fun way, and I think that can't help but rub off on the kids. I think they see us having a blast, and so they have fun, too."