Background

Mission Statement - MPR Partnership - Sponsors - Board

Mission Statement

THE PURPOSE of the Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest is to assist teachers in their efforts and expand the music experiences of students, primarily through the use of Western music, global perspectives, and a variety of musical influences. The objective of the contest is to inspire students to become life-long participants in the musical experience.

Minnesota Public Radio's Partnership

THE IDEA of the contest was conceived by Ivan Olson, former music department chair at Winona State University, to involve high school students in learning a greater appreciation of classical music. The program is administered by a nine-member Music Listening Contest Board and Minnesota Public Radio. The program is endorsed by the Minnesota Music Educators Association. Each year the MLC Board selects repertoire pieces and designs the curriculum. MPR markets the contest, providing posters, direct-mail pieces, and press releases to be sent at the beginning of each school year. MPR produces the repertoire recordings and coordinates state-wide broadcasts on its classical music stations. MPR also produces a World Wide Web site for the contest. The contest is supported financially by the Music Listening Fund through contributions solicited by MPR's Development Department.

1996-97 Sponsors

THIS YEAR'S CONTEST is supported by the Music Listening Fund with assistance from Augsburg College, The Reliastar Foundation, International Dairy Queen, and Unisys Corporation.

Minnesota Music Listening Board

Tony Bol, Minnesota Public Radio
Stephen Dunn, Mankato Public Schools
Paul Haack, University of Minnesota
Monica Kasel, Granite Falls/ Clarkfield Public Schools
John Lace, Anoka High School
Doug Miller, Monticello Schools
DeVonna Murrin, Edina High School
Laura Preves, Minnesota Public Radio
Scott Rabehl, Maple Grove Public Schools
Ann Slosser, Member MMTA
Keith Swanson, Hermantown High School
Gary Zwack, St. Cloud Technical High School

Tim Jones, Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra
Consultant to the board and author of the MLC Study Guide

Mark Sheldon, Minnesota Public Radio
Host and engineer of MLC Study Guide CDs