Concerts
Class Notes Concerts are free, in-person concerts performed by Minnesota-based artists in Minnesota schools.
Traditional funding sources for Class Notes have been severely diminished for the 2025-26 school year. As we explore new funding models, Class Notes and Minnesota Public Radio remain committed to serving teachers, students, and the community in several ways.
In the 2025-26 school year, Class Notes Concerts will offer a limited number of concerts via sign-up sheet. In the metro area, teachers from the 2024-25 wait list will have priority, and we will reach out to those teachers directly. Sign-up will begin in the second half of September. If you don’t get a slot, please email classnotes@mpr.org to indicate interest. Tours and concerts in greater MN will be arranged separately. Interested teachers outside the 7-county metro area should email classnotes@mpr.org.
In addition to Concerts, the Class Notes Lesson Library will launch a series of 33 Beginning Band Videos/Lessons in late August, and free digital content throughout the entire school year. We also plan to launch a Teen Council and continue our annual Teacher Appreciation Event. Stay tuned for updates.
Artists
4 Low Pitches
About the Ensemble: 4 Low Pitches is a quartet who use humor and excitement to showcase the versatility and flexibility of the bass clarinet.
Blazing Canes!
About the Ensemble: Blazing Canes! is a reed duo featuring clarinets and saxophone. Their wide-ranging repertoire includes music from the Classical era, pieces from the American songbook, and music from around the world.
Box Cat Music
About the Ensemble: Box Cat Music is a songwriting duo that features vocals, cello, and guitar.
Charles Lazarus
About the Ensemble: 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.
Flipside Percussion
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.
Heartstrings
About the Ensemble: Heartstrings is a multi-instrumental duo featuring cello, guitar, or piano. They play a wide range of repertoire with an emphasis on improvisation. Heartstrings is available for concerts within one hour of Milaca, MN. Please contact us with booking inquiries.
Julie Johnson
About the Ensemble: Julie Johnson is a flutist who integrates looping and effect pedals into original arrangements and compositions.
La Grande Bande
About the Ensemble: La Grande Bande is a voice, viola da gamba, and harpsichord trio that specializes in Baroque music and also plays music from other eras. Le Grande Bande is available for concerts within one hour of Gaylord, MN. Please contact us with booking inquiries.
Lake Minnetonka String Quintet
About the Ensemble: Five lifelong friends play their string instruments together, blending classical training with custom arrangements of pop tunes.
Liz Pearse
About the Ensemble: Liz Pearse is a vocalist who explores lots of different ways of singing and helps the audience understand that their voice is an instrument. Liz Pearse is available for concerts within one hour of Winona, MN. Please contact us with booking inquiries.
Lux String Quartet
About the Ensemble: Lux String Quartet performs classical music focusing on 20th and 21st-century repertoire and works by living composers.
The Minnesota Winds Trio
About the Ensemble: The Minnesota Winds Trio consists of three representatives of the newly-founded Minnesota Winds professional concert band.
Nordstär Duo
About the Ensemble: Nordstär Duo perform Swedish folk music on traditional instruments, including the nyckelharpa, the säckpipa, and the wooden flute.
Nyttu Chongo
About the Artist: Nyttu Chongo performs and composes African folk music using a variety of instruments from Mozambique and Rwanda.
Son de Cuerdas
About the Ensemble: Son de Cuerdas is a cello, harp, and piano trio, presenting classical repertoire with an emphasis on Latin American composers.
Steam Machine
About the Ensemble: Steam Machine is a music and dance ensemble that performs old-time and bluegrass music.
Titambe
About the Ensemble: Titambe is a powerful and energetic West African Dance and Drum ensemble.
Train House Friends
About the Ensemble: Train House Friends is a trio of friends from diverse musical backgrounds. A classically trained cellist, a rural-raised banjo player, and a jazz/gospel keyboardist join together to explore collaboration, improvisation, and the boundaries of musical genre.
FAQs
Answers to the most common questions. If you can‘t find an answer please contact us.
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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
