Concerts

Class Notes Concerts are free, in-person concerts performed by Minnesota-based artists in Minnesota schools.


Concert/residency bookings for 2024-25 are currently full. Please email classnotes@mpr.org with questions or to be added to our waitlist. Check out our Lesson Library for Virtual Concerts or other free classroom resources!

Artists

Afoutayi Dance, Music, and Arts Co

Afoutayi Dance, Music, and Arts - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: Afoutayi Dance, Music, and Arts shares Haitian music, dance, and storytelling.

Recommended for: Elementary & Middle School, Assemblies

Availability: Weekdays throughout school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org


Alma Brasileira

Alma Brasileira - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: Alma Brasileira is a recorder and guitar duo that performs Brazilian music.

Recommended for: All Ages, All Audience Sizes

Availability: Weekdays throughout school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org.

Box Cat Music

Box Cat Music - Residency Artist

About the Ensemble: Box Cat Music is a songwriting duo that features vocals, cello, and guitar.

Recommended for: Elementary, Residencies

To request a residency, please click on the “Residency Request” button. Residencies are available anywhere in Minnesota. Email classnotes@mpr.org with questions.

Charles Lazarus

Charles Lazarus - Concert Artist

About the Musician: Trumpeter Charles Lazarus is a member of the Minnesota Orchestra and a multi-faceted musician who has charted a unique course as performer, composer, producer and band leader.

Recommended for: Middle & High School, Band/Orchestra Programs

Availability: Intermittent weekdays throughout school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org

Flipside Percussion

Flipside Percussion - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: Flipside Percussion is a trio featuring mallet instruments and drum set. They present a wide range of musical styles and embrace improvisation as a core musical value.

Recommended for: All Ages, All Audience Types, Jazz Bands, Percussion Ensembles (*Note that there will need to be enough space for three large instruments.)

Availability: Mornings, most Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org

Julie Johnson

Julie Johnson - Concert Artist

About the Musician: Julie Johnson is a flutist who integrates looping and effect pedals into original arrangements and compositions.

Recommended for: All Ages, All Audience Sizes

Availability: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, some Thursdays, and Fridays, Sept-Dec and March-May

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org

Lux String Quartet

Lux String Quartet - Concert & Residency Artist

About the Ensemble: Lux String Quartet performs classical music focusing on 20th and 21st-century repertoire and works by living composers.

Recommended for: All Ages, All Audience Sizes, Orchestra Program Residencies

Availability: Most weekdays, except Tuesdays, throughout school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org.

To request a residency, please click on the “Residency Request” button. Residencies are available anywhere in Minnesota. Email classnotes@mpr.org with questions.

Minnesota Winds Trio

The Minnesota Winds Trio - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: The Minnesota Winds Trio consists of three representatives of the newly-founded Minnesota Winds.

Recommended for: All Ages, All Audience Sizes, Middle & High School Band Programs

Availability: Select Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays throughout the school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org

The Mirandola Ensemble

The Mirandola Ensemble - Residency Artist

About the Ensemble: The Mirandola Ensemble is a vocal music quartet specializing in early music from around the world.

Recommended for: Choir Program Residencies

To request a residency, please click on the “Residency Request” button. Residencies are available anywhere in Minnesota. Email classnotes@mpr.org with questions.

The OK Factor

The OK Factor - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: New-classical crossover duo The OK Factor is cellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Karla Colahan. Olivia and Karla are passionate about composing, performing, and teaching.

Recommended for: Elementary, All Audience Sizes

Availability: Select weekdays in Fall; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in Winter/Spring

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org

The Paper Clips

The Paper Clips - Residency Artist

About the Ensemble: The Paper Clips are a trombone quartet dedicated to connecting the threads of classical & contemporary music through fun and engaging performances.

Recommended for: Band Program Residencies

To request a residency, please click on the “Residency Request” button. Residencies are available anywhere in Minnesota. Email classnotes@mpr.org with questions.

Red Thread

Red Thread - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: Red Thread is a contemporary folk group featuring voice, acoustic guitar, and electronic loops/production.

Recommended for: All Ages, Classrooms

Availability: Weekdays throughout school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org.

a colorfully dressed person with instruments

Robot Rickshaw - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: Robot Rickshaw is a Duluth-based ensemble of robotic instruments designed, built, and operated by their human creator, Troy Rogers.

Recommended for: All Ages, Classrooms

Availability: Most weekdays, October through November and January through May

To schedule this artist for the Duluth area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert outside Duluth, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org.

a woman and a man surrounded by several instruments

Siama's Congo Roots - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: Siama’s Congo Roots is a duo featuring music from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. The music features guitar, vocals, and various percussion instruments from DR Congo.

Recommended for: Elementary & Middle School, All Audience Sizes

Availability: Weekdays throughout school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org.

Son de Cuerdas

Son de Cuerdas - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: Son de Cuerdas is a cello, harp, and piano trio, presenting classical repertoire with an emphasis on Latin American composers.

Recommended for: All Ages, All Audience Sizes (*Note that Son de Cuerdas is available to give concerts in Spanish.)

Availability: Weekdays throughout school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org

three musicians sitting with banjo, violin, and guitar

Steam Machine - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: Steam Machine is a music and dance ensemble that performs old-time and bluegrass music.

Recommended for: All Ages, All Audience Sizes

Availability: Weekdays throughout school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org

Wood N' Wind

Wood N' Wind - Concert Artist

About the Ensemble: Wood N’ Wind is a musical duo featuring the flute and double bass.

Recommended for: All Ages, Classrooms

Availability: Weekdays throughout school year

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org

FAQs

Answers to the most common questions. If you can‘t find an answer please contact us.

Do you have any lesson plans for high school students?
Icon detail open
I am a homeschool teacher. Can I use your lesson plans?
Icon detail open
Can I use your lesson plans if my school is not in Minnesota?
Icon detail open
How often do you add new lesson plans or videos?
Icon detail open
How many Class Notes Concerts can I book for my school?
Icon detail open
The website only let me book the artist for three hours. Is the concert three hours long?
Icon detail open
I teach at a school outside the metro area. What are my options for booking a concert?
Icon detail open
Our students would like to send a thank-you card to the artists who performed at our school. Where should we mail those?
Icon detail open
My school is not in Minnesota. Can I book a concert?
Icon detail open
What type of space is needed to host a Class Notes concert in my school?
Icon detail open
Logo YourClassical Class Notes

YourClassical is a public media organization and your support makes it possible.

Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment

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

©2024 Minnesota Public Radio. All rights reserved.
Facebook icon
YouTube icon
Instagram icon