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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 are ENSEMBLE SKILLS?

How do musicians stick together without a conductor? Help students understand and practice ENSEMBLE SKILLS in this lesson.

What are VOICE TYPES?

No two voices sound exactly the same. But, all voices fall into a range. Learn about four main voice types: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass!

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!

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.

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: 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!

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.

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: Afoutayi Dance, Music and Arts Company

Meet Djenane Saint Juste and other vibrant musicians of Afoutayi Dance, Music, and Arts Company as they introduce students to music and dance from the country of Haiti. Enjoy this interactive virtual concert perfect for elementary and middle school.

Virtual Concert: Kroehm Duo

Kroehm Duo is a duo, which means two players. “Kroehm” is a mash-up of the players’ last names – Jenny Klukken and Steve Roehm. Learn about mallet instruments and listen to original music by this Class Notes group!

Virtual Concerts: e(L)ement

Harp and flute duo e(L)ement is made up of Karen Baumgartner and Mallory McHenry. Learn about the harp and flute while listening to this dynamic duo!

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.

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.

Dance Party: Groovy Beats

Movement helps us internalize steady beat! You can't NOT bust a move in this Groovy Dance party featuring hits from the 1950s and 1960s. Great for all ages!

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!

What is PRESTO?

Tap into your need for speed in this music lesson about PRESTO, or super fast music!

Instrument Exploration: Clarinet

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

Themed Lesson: Ghosts

Cute ghosts, friendly ghosts, scary ghosts! Listen to four pieces inspired by ghosts!

Instrument Exploration: Mandolin

The mandolin is a string instrument that can be used in many different genres of music! Learn about the instrument and listen to it in several different styles of music.

Themed Lesson: Memorial Day

Use music to think about how to remember those who have served their country and those who are no longer with us. For all ages.

Music & Art: "Pictures at an Exhibition"

Experience Modest Mussorgsky’s art-influenced musical masterpiece, “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

Music & Art: A Trip to the Museum!

Compare and contrast elements in both visual art and music in this virtual field trip to an art museum.

Listening Lesson: 'Mother Goose Suite'

Listen and respond to one story from this collection.

Instrument Exploration: Double Bass

The double bass is the largest, and lowest-sounding, string instrument. Learn to identify it by sight and sound!

Instrument Exploration: Harp

In this lesson, learn about and listen to the harp most commonly used in orchestras: the "pedal harp."

Themed Lesson: Villains

Literature and music are full of memorable villains! Listen to music inspired by villains and make up your own villain character. For Grades 2-5.

Themed Lesson: Heroes

What makes someone a hero? What makes music heroic? Listen and respond to heroic-sounding music.

Music & Literacy: Poetry

Poetry and music have so much in common! Connect to poetry while listening to some poetry-inspired pieces of music. For grades K-5.

What is STEADY BEAT?

Explore STEADY BEAT by dancing, stomping, and clapping to catchy tunes!

Themed Lesson: Rain

Many composers have captured the sound and feeling of rain in music. In this lesson, explore four different pieces about rain.

Instrument Exploration: The Brass Family

The brass family is one of four main instrument families in the orchestra. Learn how to make a sound on a brass instrument and hear recordings of various brass instruments.

Instrument Exploration: Mallet Instruments

Mallet instruments are a part of the percussion family. Explore four kinds of mallet instruments in this lesson.

Music and Meditation

This Music and Mindfulness lesson is great for all ages! Explore meditation as a tool for self-regulation. Listen to some calming music while learning to breathe deep and be still.

What is a CONDUCTOR?

Conductors have a special musical job. Conductor Sarah Hicks will tell you about her job and teach you a few conducting patterns. For grades K-6.

Music and Expression

Learn how composers use music to express themselves. Listen to Mozart's "Gran Partita" and hear how other students feel while listening.

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Themed Lesson: Dreams

Use literacy skills to compare and contrast four pieces of music about dreams.

What is MELODY?

Melody use pitches that can go high or low and make shapes. Learn about melody by distinguishing it from beat and rhythm! Explore melodic contour by vocalizing and drawing your own melodic shapes!

Dance Party: Music Through The Ages

Music is a great tool to help control movement and help develop self-regulation skills. Get your wiggles out with music from different periods of time and all over the world. Great for all ages.