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MLC History

Mission Statement

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The purpose of the Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest is to assist teachers in their efforts to expand the music experiences of students -- primarily 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.


History

Champions!
1992 MLC State Champions - Hermantown High School, with coach Keith Swanson

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While the current program draws nearly 200 teams annually, the Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest had a humble beginning over 30 years ago. Dr. Ivan Olson, author of The Arts and Critical Thinking in American Education, recalls the program's initial years:

"In 1987 the Minnesota State University System granted funds for me to develop a pilot music education project devoted to music listening skills at the secondary level. Thirty years' teaching secondary and college students, along with my doctorate from the University of Michigan in music education and musicology had left a deep impression in my mind that listening skills development must receive more attention.

"After a year of planning, I enlisted the help of two of Minnesota's finest artist/teachers, pianist Donald Betts, and conductor Jere Lantz. Together, we worked and planned with four high school music teachers who shared our concerns. The result was the initial High School Music Listening Contest in 1988 which involved 10 high schools from all around the state of Minnesota. The first winning school was St. Cloud Technical High School, coached by orchestra director Steve Eckblad. Steve's team was brilliant, all the other teams did well, and all the students involved felt like winners.

"After a modest growth to 14 schools (four schools cancelled because of budget or schedule problems) in 1989-90, Minnesota Public Radio joined forces with us, and the number of schools in the 1991-92 contest grew to over 40. The 1992-93 contest registered over 80 schools."
 

From an article entitled "The Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest:
A National Model for a Partnership of Colleges, High Schools, and Public Radio"
written by Dr. Ivan Olson, Director, Music Education Network School of Education
at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and presented at the College Music Society 1993 Annual Meeting, Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis, MN
 
What is the contest Like?
Board Members

Melissa Bergstrom
Anoka Ramsey Community College


Michele Gillman, webmaster
Independent Musician


Gary Gratz, treasurer
Independent Musician

Paul Grupe
Houston High School

Paula Gudmundson
University of Minnesota Duluth

Janet Heukeshoven
St. Mary's University

Barbara Hoppe, President
Pine Island High School

Chris Jannings
Roseville Area High School

Paul Kile,
Edina High School

Jerica Price
Music Listening Contest Alumnus


Christa Saeger-Dean
Osseo High School
MLC Board
MLC Board of Directors: (back, left to right) Gary Gratz, Christopher Jannings (musicologist), Deb Nelson (program coordinator), Melissa Bergstrom (front, left to right) Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, Jerica Price, Kate Hujda, Barb Hoppe, (Not pictured: Paul Kile, Paul Grupe, and Paula Gudmundson)

MLC In the News

"The empowering power of music listening"
JJ Abernathy, Music Times 
Feb. 12, 2017
"Champlin Park team has impressive ear for music"
CCX Media
April 4, 2016
"Music with Minnesotans: David Docter"
MPR's Steve Staruch interviews our 2013-14 Musicologist
Jan. 7, 2014
"Northfield High School trio wins third consecutive state music listening title"
By Molly Larsen, Northfield News
​Feb. 13, 2015
"Learning to Listen: Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest"
Classical Music Features with Emily Reese 
Feb. 9, 2015


"Minnesota students learn to listen through innovative classical music contest"
By Evan Block
Nov. 21, 2018
"LISTEN CONTEST...what kids know about classical music"
By Chris Roberts
Jan. 30, 1998

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MLC Musicologists


Musicologists who have authored MLC Study Guides include (left to right) Dr. David Docter, Xenia Sandstrom-McGuire , Dr. Sondra Wieland Howe, Christopher Jannings,  and Melissa Bergstrom. Not pictured: Dr. Phil Ford and Dr. Matthew Bribitzer-Stull.
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  • Home
  • What is MLC?
    • MLC History
    • The Contest
    • How to Prepare
    • This Year's Study Guide
  • Registration
  • FAQs
  • NEWS
  • Contact us
  • Give