YourClassical
Impact Report—August 2023
YourClassical’s Class Notes provides music education across the state
Donor support powers Minnesota Public Radio’s (MPR) and American Public Media’s (APM) public service mission and diverse musical programming, making programs like YourClassical possible. YourClassical, from American Public Media, is a collection of curated streams, unique programs and relevant features to connect classical listeners with the music they love. YourClassical provides classical music for all of life’s moments and all ages of audiences.
“Class Notes” is a music education program offered through YourClassical that engages and inspires students through live musical performances and supports teachers through free, high-quality music education resources. The program partners with Minnesota musicians who visit K–12 schools to perform and deliver curricula tied to Minnesota’s state education standards.
Through live, in-school performances and an extensive online lesson library, Class Notes values accessibility, relevance, innovation and equity. Your generosity inspires and enables innovative content that makes music come alive for all audiences.
Impact: 2022–23 School-Year Highlights
The two primary initiatives within Class Notes are live, in-person concerts (performed by a roster of MN-based musicians who reflect the diversity of the students in the program) and a digital Lesson Library, aligned with state music education standards. The Class Notes artist roster features an exciting mix of musical styles and instruments and all concerts come with supporting materials to enrich and enhance the concert experience. Class Notes’ robust evaluation protocol showed that students across the state loved Class Notes concerts.
Class Notes had a record-shattering impact during the 2022–23 school year:
- 56,140 students attended a Class Notes Concert in person, more than doubling the program’s goal of 25,000 students.
- The program reached across the whole state: approximately one in four concerts were held outside the Twin Cities metro area.
- The Paper Clips trombone quartet performed a community concert as a part of their Class Notes tour in Moorhead, MN.
- Class Notes staff received a first-round Kling Innovation Award to create the pilot episode of “Classically Training,” a podcast for young adults interested in learning more about classical music in a fun, accessible way.
Reach:
Class Notes provided concerts
in 195 schools during
the 2022–23 school year
(compared with 94 schools
two years ago)
56,140 students
attended a Class Notes concert
in person (a 42% increase over
the 2020–2021 school year)
Class Notes provided concerts
in schools in 46 counties
during the 2022–23 school year
(compared to 30 counties two
years ago)
Class Notes audiences had a
higher percentage
of BIPOC students
than the state average
Nearly 40% of Class Notes
concert audiences live near or
below the poverty line
Great Partnership with Artists
- The extensive roster of Class Notes artists include:
- Ninebark, a string trio featuring violin, viola and cello that
approaches classic masterpieces and emerging works with intentionality and enthusiasm - Flipside, a group of three percussionists who play the marimba, the vibraphone and the drum set and present a wide range of musical styles while embracing improvisation as a core musical value
- Titambe, a West African Dance Ensemble that incorporates music, instruments, singing and dance to educate audiences about West African culture
- Ninebark, a string trio featuring violin, viola and cello that
- Class Notes artists appreciated the opportunity for work with equitable and fair pay.
- Artists enjoyed artistic freedom and professional development support in concert preparation.
- Artists aligned with Class Notes Mission and core values, including a desire to reach new audiences and serve teachers and schools.
– Student in Lino Lakes (Centennial district)
As a Title I school with limited funding, this is an opportunity we would not have been able to have without the Class Notes Program.”
– Elementary music teacher, Minneapolis
This type of performance is a very rare thing for most of my students.”
– Music teacher, Kasson-Mantorville
This was an incredible experience for me and my kids. They were able to hear and learn something that, honestly, I could not properly teach them. That gift is beyond words. I would love to bring more and more [Class Notes Concerts] to my kids.”
– Music Teacher, Maple Grove
I honestly can’t believe these talented musicians and performers come to our school free of charge. I appreciate it so much! My students get to hear live performances on instruments they may never experience live again! THANK YOU!”
– Music teacher, Big Lake