­­FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          

Contact:     Deborah Nelson

                    Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest

                    Target Communications

                    (612) 696-3400

Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest Receives Grant from Target

Minneapolis, MN (Aug. 2, 2012) — The Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest (MLC) today announced a partnership with Target in recognition of its efforts to expand the music experiences of students throughout the state through its statewide classical music listening contest.

            “We are very excited to receive the grant from Target,” said Deb Nelson, MLC program coordinator.  “It’s wonderful that Target recognizes the impact that music education has on a community. This grant will help us reach even more high school students and expose them to music they may not have heard or understood previously.”

This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income to communities. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million every week.

“At Target, our local grants are making a difference in communities across the country,” said Laysha Ward, President, Community Relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with the Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen communities where our guests and team members live and work.”

            Additionally, Target also gives through signature programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families. Programs include:

·         Take Charge of Education^®, a school fundraising program;

·         Target School Library Makeovers, a program that provides year-round volunteer opportunities for Target team members to get involved with their local school;

·         Target Field Trip^SM Grants, a program that helps educators bring learning to life outside the classroom through the distribution of grants;

·         Target House^®, serves as a home away from home for families of children receiving lifesaving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis. The St. Jude School Program presented by Target, is staffed with accredited teachers and helps patients stay on track academically while undergoing treatments that can last months;

·         Target Volunteers, a nationwide network of Target team members, retirees, families and friends who volunteer millions of hours to community projects.

About the Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest

Celebrating its 25th year, The Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest is an independent not-for-profit competition providing an ideal opportunity to enrich students' experiences with classical, ethnic, and popular music in a fun and competitive environment. In this statewide contest, students develop skills in active listening and critical analysis by learning to identify composers, cultures, periods and styles. Each fall, teachers or coaches recruit three students to form a team. The teams receive a study guide and repertoire compact discs that contain all the musical selections they will need to compete effectively. All teams participate in regional competitions in January and first- and second-place teams advance to the state competition in February. For more information, visit www.musiclisteningcontest.com

About Target

            Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,750 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.