Four approx. 15 minute activities (one for each year group in KS2) based on music from the Renaissance Era. Focus: Renaissance composers; instruments; song types; performance venues; virtuoso performers; texture types.

I made this set of ten posters to promote careers in music in my department! They include: Music producer Composer Session Musician Acoustics Engineer Conductor Music Therapist Artist Management Music Journalism Music Teacher Performer Display title ‘Where Can Music Take Me?’ is also included. Hope they are useful to some people. Updated as someone spotted an error, very sorry for this!

I cut these out and put them up on a washing line in my classroom to remind kids of the music key words!

A music sequencing guide to soundtrap. This can be used to support the BTEC First Award in Music for Unit 7.

This is a series of lessons teaching students the basics of the patterns beatmaker in Soundtrap. N.B. you will need a Soundtrap Education Subscription to use this with your students. This scheme of work was originally used for online learning but can be adapted to in person. Lesson 1 - Beatmaker Basics! To set up a Soundtrap for Education account To know what the Patterns Beatmaker is To know what a bar is and how the Patterns Beatmaker is laid out into bars and smaller beat divisions To understand how beats in popular music are usually counted in groups of 4 beats called bars Lesson 2 - Pop Back Beats! To understand how the word beat is used in a variety of contexts and what other musical vocabulary can be used (instrumental, tempo, pulse, rhythm and BPM) To know what a backbeat is and understand that it is typically used in pop and rock music To be able to create a backbeat using the Patterns Beatmaker Lesson 3 - Drill Beats! To know that drill music typically uses: a fast tempo of usually 140bpm; an 808 Bass; and an off-beat hi-hat drum pattern. To be able to create a typical drill beat using the Patterns Beatmaker To know what a loop is To be able to play the synth in Soundtrap Lesson 4 - Afrobeats! To know and be able to identify the typical rhythmic features of Afrobeats music To be able to create a typical Afrobeats beat using the Patterns Beatmaker Lesson 5 - Trap Beats! To know and be able to identify the typical rhythmic features of Trap music To be able to create a typical Trap beat using the Patterns Beatmaker

This resource contains four activities - one 15 minute task per year group for KS2 about Baroque Music. The tasks are discussion based and don’t require students to write.

Overview: This engaging worksheet is designed to introduce students to Electronic Dance Music (EDM) by exploring its history, various subgenres, and influential artists. The lesson is structured to take approximately one hour and includes a detailed reading passage, comprehension questions, a matching activity, and a writing task. Key Features: Reading Passage: A comprehensive overview of EDM, covering its origins, key genres (House, Techno, Trance, Dubstep), and notable artists (e.g., Calvin Harris, Avicii, Skrillex). Comprehension Questions: Six reflective questions that encourage critical thinking and understanding of the material. Matching Activity: A matching exercise linking EDM genres to their descriptions, reinforcing knowledge retention. Duration: Designed to be completed in approximately 60 minutes, perfect for a single class session. Learning Outcomes: Students will: Understand the characteristics that define EDM and differentiate it from traditional music. Identify and describe key EDM genres and their historical significance. Recognize influential artists and their contributions to the EDM scene.

Use the link in the document to access my Canva version of our practice room rules, this can be edited to suit school needs.

This set of posters showcases ten influential LGBTQ+ musicians who have made significant contributions to music and culture. Each poster highlights the artist’s background, notable achievements, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights: Elton John: A legendary British singer-songwriter, known for his flamboyant style and timeless hits. He has sold over 300 million records and is a prominent advocate for AIDS awareness through his charity work. Frank Ocean: An innovative R&B artist known for his introspective lyrics and genre-defying sound. Openly bisexual, he challenges norms in hip-hop and advocates for LGBTQ+ representation. Sam Smith: A Grammy-winning artist celebrated for their powerful vocals and emotional ballads. Openly non-binary, Smith uses their platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness. Lady Gaga: A pop icon known for her theatricality and diverse music. Openly bisexual, she is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using her influence to promote acceptance and equality. Olly Alexander: The lead singer of Years & Years, Alexander is known for his candid discussions about mental health and sexuality. As an openly gay artist, he advocates for LGBTQ+ youth and representation. Hayley Kiyoko: An openly lesbian artist and actress, known for her empowering songs that celebrate LGBTQ+ love and identity. She actively supports LGBTQ+ youth through her music and public speaking. Arlo Parks: A rising star in the music scene, Parks combines her poetic lyrics with themes of mental health and identity. Openly bisexual, she promotes authenticity and vulnerability in her work. Janelle Monáe: A genre-blending artist and actress who identifies as pansexual. Monáe uses her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice, exploring themes of identity and empowerment in her music. Freddie Mercury: The legendary frontman of Queen, known for his extraordinary voice and theatrical performances. Openly bisexual, Mercury became a gay icon and raised awareness for AIDS after his passing. Lil Nas X: A trailblazer in hip-hop, known for his viral hit “Old Town Road.” Openly gay, he advocates for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance, challenging stereotypes within the genre.