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.

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.

Themed Lesson: Autumn

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

Music & Math: Cryptograms

Cryptograms are puzzles and can also be used as a way to structure a musical composition. For elementary and middle school students.

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: 'The Unanswered Question'

A musical phrase describes a series of notes that communicate a musical idea. Learn about musical questions and answers, and listen to “The Unanswered Question” by Charles Ives.

What is FERMATA?

Fermata means to hold a note longer than usual. Go on a fermata scavenger hunt as you listen to several musical examples.

What is an ETUDE?

The word "etude" means "study" in French. Listen to etudes for piano, guitar, cello, snare drum, and trumpet in this lesson.

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.

Create Your Own Fairy Tale

Create your own fairytale! Use the provided plot template to make up your story and find music to accompany each part of the story. For Grades 2-6.

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!

Music & Science: Music Boxes

Today we will learn about and listen to a music box.

Meet the Composer: Zoltán Kodály

Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967) lived and composed in Hungary. The story of Zoltán Kodály provides a good example of history's influence on music.

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!

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.

What is CRESCENDO?

When composers and musicians want to make the volume of music gradually increase, they use the word “crescendo.” Listen to musical examples and practice making your own!

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.

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 & Science: Pendulums

Learn the science behind pendulums and how composer Steve Reich used pendulums to create a unique piece of music.

Music & Art: "Pictures at an Exhibition"

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

Music & Art: Compose Your Own Music

Compose your own music inspired by a piece of art! Suitable, with modifications, for all ages.

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: 'Golden Butterflies'

Explore the timbres of the violin, cello, and piano in this listening lesson.

Music and Emotions

Explore how music can help us get in touch with our feelings.

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."

Listening Lesson: 'Vltava'

Use your imagination and transport yourself to the Moldau River as you listen to "Vltava", also called "The Moldau," by Bedrich Smetana.

Themed Lesson: Flowers

Enjoy four pieces of music, each inspired by a different flower. Use active listening skills to play a matching game.

Listening Lesson: 'Walking the Dog'

Composer George Gershwin wrote a piece called Walking the Dog. Internalize steady beat by walking along to this musical promenade.

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Sound Scavenger Hunt

Train your ears to hear specific instruments. Fun twist: every instrument in this lesson starts with the letter T!

Create Your Own Superhero Adventure

Use storytelling and writing skills to create your own adventure featuring heroes and villains. Select music to accompany your creation! For Grades 2-8.

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.

Listening Lesson: 'Saturday Night Waltz'

Follow along with a listening map and use movement to respond to part of Aaron Copland’s ballet, "Rodeo." Great for all ages.

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.

Themed Lesson: Rain

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

What is TEMPO?

Fast or slow means tempo! In our Class Notes Tempo Video, we see lumberjacks moving to different speeds. End the lesson with a game of Tempo Olympics!

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.

Create Your Own Instrument

Timbre (TAM-ber) is a word that describes the unique and special sound of any instrument or sound source. Use household objects to explore timbre and create your own instrument.

Build Your Own Xylophone

Pitch discrimination is a fundamental music skill. Use household items to create and explore your own high and low sounds.

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.

Themed Lesson: Nature

Nature makes its own music. Listen to sounds in nature and to pieces of music inspired by nature.

Themed Lesson: April Fools'

Listen to music by composers who have captured the mischievous characters of practical jokers, clowns, and comedians in their compositions.

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.

Themed Lesson: Dreams

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

What is THEME AND VARIATION?

Composers like to take a familiar tune, or a THEME, and create different variations, or versions. Listen and respond to different pieces of music with a Theme and Variation form.

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!

What is TIMBRE?

Timbre is the unique or special sound that a thing makes. Watch a fun video about tone color and play around with timbre in objects around your classroom or home.