High School

Instrument Exploration: Piano

The piano has 88 keys! Explore how sound is made on this keyboard instrument.

Instrument Exploration: Flute

Even though it’s made of metal, the flute is a member of the woodwind family! Listen to and learn about the flute in this lesson.

Instrument Exploration: Viola

The viola looks like the violin, but it’s just a little bigger! Learn about the viola and listen to several Class Notes artists demonstrate their instrument.

What is IMPROVISATION?

Making up music on the spot is called “improvisation.” Learn how musicians improvise and practice creating your own music in this hands-on lesson!

Instrument Exploration: Saxophone

Bari, Tenor, Alto, Soprano - learn about these four saxophones in this instrument exploration lesson.

Instrument Exploration: Oboe

Did you know most oboe players make their own reeds? Learn about this woodwind instrument and hear what it sounds like in this instrument exploration lesson!

Instrument Exploration: Violin

The violin is the smallest instrument in the string family! Learn to identify the violin by sight and sound! Listen to several Class Notes artists demonstrate their instrument.

Themed Lesson: United States

Great for Independence Day or Memorial Day. Listen to four pieces written by composers from the United States.

Instrument Exploration: Composers and the Pipe Organ (Part Three)

Compare and contrast four musical pieces written for this instrument!

Instrument Exploration: How the Pipe Organ Works (Part Two)

Learn more about how the pipe organ works- part two of a three-part series!

Instrument Exploration: Meet The Organ (Part One)

Meet four organists, or people who play the organ, in four different settings.

What is a NOCTURNE?

Nocturnes are special pieces of music inspired by nighttime! Tap into a calm, peaceful feeling as you learn some defining features and listen to musical examples. For grades K-8.

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Themed Lesson: Landscapes

Composers often depict images of nature or a landscape through music and sound. Listen to some music inspired by different landscapes.

Themed Lesson: Fireworks

How might a composer turn the sound of fireworks into music? Listen to six pieces inspired by fireworks. Great for all ages!

Listening Lesson: 'In Memoriam'

Music and art can help process feelings surrounding difficult issues. In 2020, Sphinx Virtuosi recorded Herbert’s piece, In Memoriam in remembrance of George Floyd, Stephen Lawrence and many other victims.

Listening Lesson: 'Cat Fugue'

Cat videos, cat memes, and composers and cats! Notice how melodic contour can represent the path of a cat’s feet, moving up and down a keyboard in Domenico Scarlatti's ‘Cat Fugue.’

Instrument Exploration: Trombone

The trombone is a member of the brass family! Learn a little about the instrument, and hear its sound in several different settings.

Virtual Concert: Featuring Black Musicians

Black musicians have shaped and defined every aspect of American music. This virtual concert offers a small starting place to start investigating some notable Black performers and composers.

Themed Lesson: Snow

Composers have tried to capture the sound of snow in their music. Listen, respond, and move to four pieces of music about snow.

Themed Lesson: Autumn

Autumn is a season of change. Discover and enjoy music inspired by autumn.

Instrument Exploration: French Horn

Did you know the French horn isn't really French? Learn about this brass instrument and watch some videos in unique or unusual settings.

Listening Lesson: 'Mothership'

Listen and respond to string instruments and soloists how improvise, in this lesson featuring Mason Bates’ “Mothership.”

Listening Lesson: Jessie Montgomery and Musical Influence

Composer Jessie Montgomery was influenced by listening to a lot of records as a child. Look back historically on various devices used to capture music from the record player to the smart phone, and learn about some of the composer’s influences.

Themed Lesson: Fairy Tales

Engage emerging literacy skills such as character identification and use of descriptive words to compare and contrast music featuring Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Trolls, a witch, and Prince Charming. For all ages, with support for emerging readers.

Themed Lesson: Home

Think about the meaning of "home" and hear music inspired by that idea in this listening lesson.

Instrument Exploration: Bassoon

The bassoon is sometimes called the "comedian of the orchestra.” Learn about this unique woodwind instrument!

Themed Lesson: Protest Music

Students will think about why people protest and how they use music when protesting.

What is a SCHERZO?

The word "scherzo" means "to jest" or "to joke" in Italian. Learn about the characteristics of a scherzo while listening to some playful examples!

Instrument Exploration: Clarinet

Did you know the clarinet is nicknamed "the licorice stick"? Learn about this woodwind instrument and enjoy several listening examples.

What is a TOCCATA?

A toccata showcases many skills a musician needs to play a piece of music. Listen to several toccatas written for keyboard instruments and reflect on what techniques the performers must use. For Grades K-8.

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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

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