Class Notes Concerts 2021-22: Artist Menu
After a year of Virtual Class Notes Concerts, Classical MPR’s signature education program is planning to return to live, in-school performances for the 2021-2022 school year.
Designed to expose, engage, and inspire, these standards-based concerts introduce young people to the joy and wonder of live music. Primarily intended for elementary-aged audiences and beginning instrumental/vocal ensembles, Classical MPR will work with you to customize your Class Notes Concert.
Performances are available to all Minnesota schools at no cost. Take a look at the exciting roster below and sign up for a concert here. Scroll down to the bottom of the menu to see detailed instructions about how to use the booking app. Please direct all questions to classnotes@mpr.org.
10th Wave Chamber Collective
Description:
New music ensemble featuring mallet percussion, clarinet, and violin. Emphasis on repertoire by living composers.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, beginning composition classes, band programs.
Availability: 10th Wave is generally available September - May on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays.
Locations: 10th Wave is available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Artu Duo
Description:
Cello/piano duo.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, beginning string programs, chamber music groups.
Availability: Artu Duo is generally available during September, October, first week November, January - May on Tuesday - Friday.
Locations: Artu Duo is available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Listen to and watch Artu Duo here.
Border CrosSing
Description:
Premiere choral ensemble.
Especially recommended for:
Choral ensembles, large groups, general music classrooms. Concerts presented in Spanish upon request.
Availability: Border CrosSing is available select days in September, the majority of October and November, select days in December.
Location: Border CrosSing is available only to the seven-county metro area.
Watch Border CrosSing perform here.
Cantus
Description:
Premiere men’s vocal ensemble with a wide-ranging repertoire.
Especially recommended for:
Choral ensembles, large groups, general music classrooms.
Availability: Cantus is available select days in September, October 2021 and Jan 5-6, 10-13, April 4-7, 2022.
Location: Cantus is available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Limited availability for tours and travel in Greater Minnesota. Contact classnotes@mpr.org to arrange details.
The Dream Songs Project
Description:
Guitar/voice duo.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, beginning guitar classes, and general classrooms (Grades K-6.) The Dream Songs concert content can be modified to include a literacy component.
Availability: The Dream Songs Project is available the week of April 25-29, 2022.
Location: The Dream Songs Project is available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Limited availability for tours and travel in Greater Minnesota. Contact classnotes@mpr.org to arrange details.
Listen to The Dream Songs Project here.
e(L)ement
Description:
Flute/harp duo.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, general classrooms (Grades K-6).
Availability: e(L)ement is available the week of April 11-15, 2022.
Location: e(L)ement is available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Limited availability for tours and travel in Greater Minnesota. Contact classnotes@mpr.org to arrange details.
Watch e(L)ement perform here.
Gaelynn Lea
Description:
Singer/songwriter, fiddle player, disability advocate.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, general classrooms (Grades K-6).
Availability: Gaelynn Lea is available in April 2022.
Location: Gaelynn Lea is available to schools in the following counties: St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Carlton, Aitkin, Itasca.
See Gaelynn Lea perform here.
Heliopsis
Description:
Duo featuring cello and a variety of traditional Sub-Saharan instruments.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, general classrooms (Grades K-6).
Availability: Heliopsis is generally available all day September - May on Wednesday and Thursday and mornings on Friday.
Location: Heliopsis is available only to the seven-county metro area.
Kroehm Duo
Description:
Marimba/vibraphone duo, featuring original compositions and improvisations.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, general classrooms (Grades K-6), percussion ensembles/classes.
Availability: Kroehm Duo is generally available all day mid-March thru May on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Location: Kroehm Duo is available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Watch Kroehm Duo perform here.
Lyra Baroque Orchestra
Description:
Quintet of musicians specializing in Baroque music from around the world.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, orchestra and band programs, general classrooms (Grades K-6).
Availability: Lyra is generally available all day September thru May on Mondays and some Fridays. Occasionally other days of the week might be available.
Location: Lyra is available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Limited availability for tours and travel in Greater Minnesota. Contact classnotes@mpr.org to arrange details.
Mill City String Quartet
Description:
String quartet.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, orchestra programs.
Availability: Mill City is available select days Tuesdays-Fridays in September, October, January, February, March, April and May.
Location: Mill City is available only to the seven-county metro area.
Listen and watch the Mill City String Quartet here.
The Mirandola Ensemble
Description:
Vocal ensemble with a wide-ranging repertoire.
Especially recommended for:
Choral ensembles, general music classrooms.
Availability: The Mirandola Ensemble is available limited days in October, November, January and February.
Location: The Mirandola Ensemble is available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Watch The Mirandola Ensemble perform here.
The Paper Clips
Description:
Trombone quartet.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, band programs, brass ensembles.
Availability: The Paper Clips are generally available Monday-Friday from September-May.
Location: The Paper Clips are available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Limited availability for tours and travel in Greater Minnesota. Contact classnotes@mpr.org to arrange details.
Riverside Winds
Description:
Woodwind quintet.
Especially recommended for:
General music programs, band programs.
Availability: Riverside is available select days October-May.
Location: Riverside is available to the seven-county metro area and for travel up to two hours outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Siama’s Congo Roots
Description:
Trio featuring original music from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Especially recommended for:
General music classrooms, general classrooms (Grades K-6).
Availability: Siama’s Congo Roots is generally available Tuesday-Fridays, September-May.
Location: Siama’s Congo Roots is available only to the seven-county metro area.
Listen and watch Siama’s Congo Roots here.
BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR TEACHERS
Follow link to Class Notes Concert Bookings page.
Select preferred “Artist” (i.e. Border CrosSing).
Select “Staff Member” in drop down. This must match the Artist above (i.e. Border CrosSing).
Click the arrows to view calendar months for date options.
Choose start time for your three-hour booking window. There can be up to three 45-minute concerts in this window.
Fill in your details. In the “Address” field, please put both the school name and street address.
Select “Book” button.
You will receive a confirmation email that says “Thank you for booking your Class Notes Concert. A staff member will reach out to you for confirmation and further details.” along with your basic booking info.
A staff member will reach out in 24-48 hours with booking confirmation or adjustments. They will also ask for further details such as exact performance times, arrival details for the Artist, arrival instructions, grades and number of students per performance.
Schools outside of the seven-county metro area should contact classnotes@mpr.org to discuss concert options.
