Between June 2004- April 2008, I served as musicologist, author and webmaster (having designed the current MLC website) for the Minnesota High School Listening Contest. These are links to the past study guides. When I was initially hired, the MLC board requested that I write in a "conversational style" (rather than a"stuffy/Grout academic" style) which would appeal to the average 13-18 year olds of the then 1,000 Minnesota students who participated in the contest. Bear in mind, I conceived, wrote, & recorded the 2004-05 guide in a little over a month during which time I was taking 2 8xxx level summer term courses at the University of Minnesota and more importantly, learning how to be a stay-at-home father to my 1st born child (then less than 2 months old). The income did help to offset part of the cost of my Graduate School tuition.

Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest 2007-08

Authored by K. Christian McGuire
Hosted by K. Christian McGuire

Featured Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Featured Genre: Music in Cinema
Featured Ethnomusic: Selections from the African Continent

Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest 2005-06

Authored by K. Christian McGuire
Hosted by K. Christian McGuire

Featured Composer: Aaron Copland
Featured Genre: Opera
Featured Ethnomusic: Music of the Middle East

Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest 2004-05

Authored by K. Christian McGuire
Hosted by Steve Seel, MPR

Features Composer: J.S. Bach
Featured Genre: Fugues and Canons
Featured Ethnomusic: The Blues and its Heirs