MLC - Home

Inspiring students to become lifelong participants in the musical experience

Registration

Each team receives:

A study guide, in electronic format (PDF)
Naxos Music Library subscription to access the MLC Playlist
Practice test

Registration fee: $99 per team

2020-2021

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020
Registration Opens
Friday, Nov. 13, 2020
Registration Closes
Friday, Jan. 15, 2021
Links and Instructions Available
Friday, Jan. 29, 2021
Virtual National Championship

Study Guide Themes

Featured composer: Brahms
Featured genre: Third Stream
Featured ethnomusic: Music of Scandinavia

We're very excited to announce that musicologist Chris Jannings is writing the Study Guide for the Music Listening Contest this year.... more

“Of all the things we do as musicians and students, this activity has been the most pertinent and useful to our learning goals and understandings. The impact of the music program is direct and profound.” -- Ed Candland (2019 MLC coach)

Our purpose

The purpose of the Music Listening Contest (MLC) is to assist teachers in their efforts to expand the musical experiences of students -- particularly through the use of Western art music, commonly referred to as classical music. The contest materials cover classical music, global perspectives, and a variety of musical influences. The objective of the contest is to inspire students to become lifelong participants in the musical experience.

How does it work?

“The thing I truly love about the Music Listening Contest is that there are no losers. Inevitably, participants develop new dimensions of musical understanding and a passion for at least one previously undiscovered style of music."
– Bill Alexander, Duluth Marshall High School

“The Music Listening Contest has taught me that it is a gift to be surprised by new information -- and a gift to learn about myself through that information. To listen to music is to learn, and to learn is to add another puzzle piece to one’s life.” –- Student Participant