MUSIC LISTENING CONTEST

MLC Merch Available Now!

View Selections

MLC 2025 Registration Has Closed.

2025 Spotlight categories:

Featured Composer: Leonard Bernstein
Spotlight: Music from Films
Featured Genre: Chamber Music

2023-24 Champion Contest Pictures

Thank you to all teams who participated in this year's contest! We had 20 teams from multiple states compete in one room. Thank you to Augsburg University for hosting this event. Check out some of the highlights below!

Registration

Each team receives:

3 physical copies of the study guide
MPR Playlist subscription to access the MLC Playlist
Practice test

Registration fee: $110 per team

2025 Dates

Registration Opens:
Sept 3rd, 2024
Registration Closes:
October 31, 2024
Regional Competition:
Friday, Jan 24, 2025
Championship Competition:
Friday, February 7 2025

Study Guide Themes

Featured Composer:
Leonard Bernstein

Spotlight:
Music from Films

Featured Genre:
Chamber Music

What is the Music Listening Contest?

“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?

2022 Regional Pictures

“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

Endorsed by the Minnesota Academic League.

Learn More

Proud partner with Music Makes Us Whole initiative