Middle School

Virtual Concert: Gaelynn Lea

Gaelynn Lea is a violinist and songwriter from Duluth, MN. Meet Gaelynn and learn a little about her disability and how she adjusts to play the violin!

What is HARMONY?

Explore the basic concept of musical harmony improvising to create simple harmonies using visual prompts! For elementary age students, but adaptable for all ages.

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.

Virtual Concert: Vocal Music

Four different vocal ensembles are featured in this Virtual Concert. Help students practice their role as the audience while listening to vocal music from a variety of cultures. The teacher plays Concert Host in this engaging Virtual Concert.

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!

Virtual Concert: Instrument Families

Percussion, Strings, Woodwinds, Brass! These are the four families of instruments. Learn to identify which instrument belongs where in this Virtual Concert featuring a wide variety of Class Notes artists.

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!

Music & Geography: Around the World

Music is a cultural expression. Visit different regions around the world to learn about unique genres of music and their core characteristics.

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.

Virtual Concert: Heliopsis

Heliopsis is a musical duo featuring Mikey and Nyttu. Learn about the cello and some percussion instruments in this Class Notes Virtual Concert.

Music & Math: Numbers

Composer Shruthi Rajasekar was inspired to write a piece of music that helps us explore and think about all the ways numbers influence our lives.

Virtual Concert: Border CrosSing

Border CrosSing is a Twin Cities-based chorale ensemble which makes music that welcomes everyone. Meet Ahmed Anzaldúa, Artistic Director and listen to this wonderful ensemble sing!

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.

Themed Lesson: Stars

Have you ever gone outside to look at the stars at night? Stargazing has inspired poets, musicians, and artists. Listen to and reflect upon music inspired by stargazing. For all ages.

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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.

Musical I Spy

Train your musical eye as you search for symbols in sheet music.

Music & Geography: Maps! (Part Two)

Build on your understanding of musical mapping to create an instrument map for Bach's Brandenburg Concerto #2. This is part two of a two-lesson series.

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.’

Music & Geography: Maps! (Part One)

Understand different types of maps and consider what it means to map out a piece of music.

Virtual Concert: Featuring Women Composers

Meet some notable women composers who have contributed to classical music over the past 100+ years.

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.

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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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