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Sound School brings professional musicians into Rochester classrooms for a week of hands-on learning, cultural exchange, and musical exploration. New Sounds. Open Minds. Big Impact.
The residency is free for students and schools, and each week concludes with a public concert that invites the entire community to share in the experience.
Note: 2025 includes two Sound School residencies due to a programming shift from spring to fall. This transition allows the series to better align with school-year rhythms. Sound School will permanently move to a fall schedule as of November 2025.
The next residency will take place the week of November 17, 2025, and will feature Tuvergen Band - a genre-defying Mongolian folk fusion trio blending traditional instruments, throat singing, and contemporary rock influences.
The next residency will take place the week of November 17, 2025, and will feature Tuvergen Band - a genre-defying Mongolian folk fusion trio blending traditional instruments, throat singing, and contemporary rock influences.
The residency will conclude with a public concert on Friday, November 21 at the Historic Chateau Theatre.
Concert tickets are on sale now! Purchase tickets here. $10 adults - $5 teens - free for kids 12 and under. All guests need a ticket to attend.
Tuvergen Band is a Mongolian folk fusion trio known for their genre-blending sound and electrifying live performances. Their music combines traditional Mongolian instruments like the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) and tobshuur (two-stringed lute), overtone singing, and contemporary rock influences.
Throughout the week of November 17, the group will work directly with students in Rochester public schools. The residency culminates with a public concert at the Historic Chateau Theatre on Friday, November 21, 2025.
Sound School is Rochester Public Music’s signature education program, established in 1990 to bring live music into the classroom and beyond.
Each year, a guest artist spends a week in local schools, introducing students to new musical traditions, instruments, and cultures through interactive concerts.
The residency ends with a public concert that’s open to all. It gives students a chance to share the experience with the grownups who matter to them and brings the music beyond the classroom and into the community.
Next Public Concert: Friday, November 21, 2025 The Historic Chateau Theatre
From global rhythms to homegrown sounds, Sound School sparks creativity, inspires curiosity, and connects people through music.
Founded by Jennifer Weir in 2016, TaikoArts Midwest is a Japanese drumming ensemble rooted in tradition and innovation. The group includes Enso Daiko and the TAM Edo Bayashi Ensemble and is known for its commitment to youth education and Asian cultural representation across Minnesota.
Sound School 2023 featured the hip-hop duoThe Reminders, known for their uplifting blend of soulful sounds and conscious lyrics. Watch highlights below:
The next Sound School residency will take place the week of November 17, 2025.
School-based events are not open to the public, but the residency will conclude with a formal public concert. Artist and ticket details will be posted on this page in late summer.
CART captioning will be available at the public concert. Our staff will be on site to assist with navigation, questions, or support as needed.
You can view real-time captions by scanning a QR code at the venue or visiting this link. Please bring a phone, tablet, or other device with internet access to use the captioning service.
For sensory info, physical accessibility, and more, visit our Accessibility page.
We share short surveys with adult guests during the in-school residency and at the public concert.
Your feedback helps us improve Sound School each year and ensures the program continues to meet the needs of students, families, and the broader community.
Have a question about this year’s program? Want to learn more about school participation, past residencies, or artist opportunities? We’re happy to help.
Sound School is a Rochester Public Music initiative made possible through public funding and the support of local partners. These collaborators help us broaden access, deepen the residency experience, and connect with more students through both in-school and community-based events.
Grant Support
Funding Partner
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Whether you have a question, need to report a concern or aren’t sure which department to contact, 311 connects you with the right team quickly and efficiently.
