An engaging, practical scheme of work of 6 hour-long music lessons for KS3 or KS4, with plenty of activities involving performing, composing and listening. Included in the downloads are everything you need to deliver this project (all of them editable): teacher's lesson plans and notes (including assessment sheet), pupils' worksheets, example composition and presentation, including audio/video links to YouTube. Tried-and-tested over several years as a Year 9 project, this would also work for Year 7 or 8, or even for Year 10, particularly as a way of getting pupils into composition. The project does not require knowledge of music notation, but there is an additional notation-based composition task for more advanced pupils. Objectives • To experience, through listening and performing, how a whole piece music can be created from one simple idea • To practise minimalist techniques through performing and composing • To listen to and analyse music by the minimalist composers John Adams, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Michael Nyman and Terry Riley Lesson Overview • Lesson 1 – Motif and Ostinato • Lesson 2 – Note Addition and Note Subtraction • Lesson 3 – Canon and Layering • Lesson 4 – Augmentation and Diminution • Lesson 5 – Phasing and Phase-Shifting • Lesson 6 – Class Composition/Performance ‘in C’ Subject-specific vocabulary • MINIMALISM – a style of music which started in the USA in the 1960s. It is characterised by simple, repetitive patterns which are transformed throughout the piece, using various techniques, including: o Motif – a basic rhythmic or melodic pattern o Ostinato – a repeating pattern o Note Addition – gradually adding notes to a motif o Note Subtraction – gradually taking away notes from a motif o Canon – two or more parts performing the same motif but starting at different times o Layering – the process of adding or taking away parts (or layers) o Augmentation – the motif played in longer note values o Diminution – the motif played in shorter note values o Phasing – two or more parts gradually getting ‘out of sync’ with each other o Phase-shifting – two or more parts getting ‘out of sync’ by one beat at a time Assessments • Performing – Steve Reich’s Clapping Music • Composing – minimalist piece for two instruments, based on a simple one-bar motif • Listening – listening exercise on Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint

A self-guided, step-by-step guide to composing a ternary form waltz or minuet for piano. An example waltz is included.

A scheme of work lasting 8-9 weeks for KS3 (11-14) introducing pupils to the seven elements of music: pitch, rhythm, texture, structure, tempo, dynamics and instruments. This is particularly useful as a project at the beginning of Year 7. - Perform an arrangement of 'Ode to Joy' on the keyboard which demonstrates all the elements of music - Compose a piece for keyboard with contrasts in all of the elements of music - Listen to different examples of elements of music (all listening examples are provided as YouTube links) Includes a 16-page teacher's guide and 12-page pupil's workbook, which may be photocopied freely within the purchasing school. Also included are clear assessments for performing, composing and listening. Pdf and Word (.docx) formats included in the download. Pdf is ready to print at A4 size; Word format can be edited but the formatting and fonts may not match the pdf.

A step-by-step self-guided process for GCSE students to compose a song in any style. Typically lasts for 5-10 hours. Four-page worksheet with lyric ideas (both in .doc and .pdf format) plus example song in .sib format.

KS3 Scheme of Work – 6-8 lessons Objectives • To listen to music, particularly waltzes, in different genres by composers from the Romantic era (1830-1900) • To perform the accompaniment for a waltz on the keyboard • To compose a 16-bar waltz for piano, fitting the melody to chosen four-bar chord sequences Lesson Overview • Lesson 1: Romantic Music • Lesson 2: Oom-pah-pah • Lesson 3: A piano waltz • Lesson 4: An orchestral waltz • Lesson 5: An operatic waltz • Lesson 6: Listening to Programme Music • Lessons 7/8: Composing Programme Music Subject-specific vocabulary • Instruments of the symphony orchestra: violins, viola, ‘cello, double bass, harp, piccolo, flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion • Romantic Composers: Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss jr, Grieg, Schubert, Berlioz, Wagner, Verdi • Musical Genres: piano music, orchestral music, ballet, opera Assessments • Listening – Romantic Music (Lesson 1) • Performing (keyboard) – ‘Oom-pah-pah’ accompaniment (Lesson 2) • Composing – 16-bar waltz (Lessons 3-6)

A detailed analysis of all of the music numbers in “The Marriage of Figaro” Act I set for AQA A Level Music (i.e. all except No. 2 duet and No. 8 chorus), together with an introduction, synopsis, and three quizzes with answers provided. Each number is analysed over several pages by section and by elements of music (over 40 pages in total). Ideal for teaching AQA A Level Music AoS1 or as wider listening for other A Level Music courses. Including the full score in pdf and editable Sibelius formats.

A complete scheme of work for KS3 Music Objectives • Performing: to play Indian ragas (melodic patterns) on the keyboard and to play talas (rhythmic cycles) on unpitched percussion • Composing: to compose a raga for keyboard using black and white notes, with two-note drone • Listening: to identify the following features of Indian classical music: o Timbre – Indian instruments: sitar, tabla and tambura o Melody – ragas (melodic patterns) o Rhythm – talas (rhythmic patterns) o Texture – layers of melody, drone and drum rhythm o Structure – sections of Indian classical piece: alap, jor and gat Lesson overview • Lesson 1: Instruments • Lesson 2: Ragas • Lesson 3: Composing your raga • Lesson 4: Playing your raga • Lesson 5: Talas • Lesson 6: Further listening Vocabulary • Indian instruments: o SITAR o TABLA o TAMBURA • Raga (melodic scale/pattern) • Flats and sharps • Tala (rhythmic cycle) vs. free rhythm (in alap) • Improvisation • Drone • Structure: Alap, Jor, Gat Assessment • Performing: playing given raga on keyboard • Composing: composing own raga on keyboard • Listening: written exercise on Indian classical music

Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021) wrote the words and music for “Into the Woods” a musical which is based on several fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm and others: Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood. This resource discusses Sondheim’s musical style, gives an overview of “Into the Woods”, and analyses three musical numbers in detail: Prologue Agony Our Little World This resource was designed for teaching the AQA Music A Level syllabus (Area of Study 4 - Music for Theatre), but it can be used for any 14+ musical theatre lessons in either music or drama lessons.

This book is a concise guide to the harmony of Bach’s chorales for advanced level music students, equipping them with the knowledge and understanding to complete their own chorale harmonisations with confidence and accuracy. Bach’s practice in harmonising chorales is explored throughout the book, from the basics of four-part writing to the complexities of chromatic harmony. With over 40 examples of complete Bach chorales and over 30 exercises, including 10 examination-style questions. Also included is the Breitkopf and Hartel edition of Bach's 371 Chorales.

KS3 Scheme of Work (6-8 lessons) including 10 pages of teacher's notes and 14 pupils' worksheets Objectives • To become familiar with music for different films and to recognise film genres • To learn how some musical features can be combined to create soundtracks for different film genres • To perform a film music theme on the keyboard, and to adapt it to compose for a film clip Overview • Lesson 1: Film and Genre • Lesson 2: Musical Ideas for Film Genres • Lesson 3*: Orchestral Film Music • Lesson 4: Listening to the James Bond Theme • Lesson 5: Practising the James Bond Theme • Lesson 6: Performing the James Bond Theme • Lesson 7*: Composing film music • Lesson 8*: Final evaluation of composition • Cover lesson/homework worksheets: o Sound effects for film o Creative sound effects o A Century of Film Music (2 pages) * Lessons 3, 7 and 8 are self-contained lessons which can be omitted for a shorter scheme of work Subject-specific vocabulary • Film genres: thriller, romance, cartoon, comedy, sci-fi, western • Musical features: cluster chords, ‘oom-pah’ accompaniment, atonal, major, minor, chromatic • Timbres: synthesiser, strings, brass Assessments • Performing (keyboard) – The James Bond Theme • Listening – Film Genres, James Bond Theme with score and in context of a film • Composing – Goldfinger pre-credits sequence

Musical analysis of five songs from Kurt Weill’s musical theatre shows: The Threepenny Opera: Mack the Knife The Threepenny Opera: Pirate Jenny The Threepenny Opera: Jealousy Duet The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny: Alabama Song The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny: Havana Song The songs are given their context within each show, together with an in-depth musical analysis under each element of music. 14 pages long - enough material for five lessons (1 song per lesson) Suitable for any study of musical theatre, particularly AQA A Level Music AoS4

A scheme of work of 6-8 lessons for KS3 (ages 11-14; Years 7-9) including complete lesson plans, assessments and a 12-page pupil workbook - Listen to dances from Renaissance pavane to contemporary dubstep (all listening examples are provided as YouTube links) - Perform a disco song (solo and ensemble) using voices, keyboards and percussion - Compose an electronic dance track using online sequencer - Learn about time signatures, instruments and the 'circle progression' of chords

Rock ‘n’ Roll KS3 Scheme of Work – 6 lessons Objectives • To learn about the origins of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s • To sing and play several rock ‘n’ roll and rock songs • To recognise some typical instruments – keyboard, drums and double bass – and their functions • To play the chords of C, F, G and Am on the keyboard • To perform the 12-bar blues and I-vi-IV-V chord progressions on the keyboard • To arrange a rock ‘n’ roll song for a group performance Lesson Overview 1. The Origins of Rock ‘n’ Roll 2. The 12-Bar Blues 3. The Bass Line 4. The I-vi-IV-V Progression 5. Preparing Group Arrangement 6. Group Performances and Listening Exercise Subject-specific vocabulary • Performers: Bill Haley and the Comets, Elvis Presley • Instruments: double bass, drum kit, keyboard • Chords: C, F, G, Am • 12-bar blues and I-vi-IV-V chord progressions Assessments • Performing (keyboard) – 12-bar blues • Composing – group arrangement of a Rock ‘n’ Roll song • Listening – Hound Dog This topic can be followed up with the topic on The Beatles, which introduces more secondary triads and more complex song structures, reflecting the development of rock music in the 1960s.

16 pages of notes of this Edexcel A Level Music set work. All eight cues are analysed according to the Elements of Music. Includes a one-page introduction to the film and its music, and an 4-page overview of the other cues in the film, to put the set work into context.

African Music KS3 scheme of work N.B. This is designed as a modular scheme of work with self-contained lessons linked by recurring themes. It works well in a short half of term and/or one interrupted by trips, exams, etc. Lessons 3 and 4 work best when taught consecutively. Objectives • Performing: to sing traditional African songs and to play African percussion • Composing: to create a layered, syncopated rhythmic ostinato within a group performance • Listening: to learn about, and to recognise, African musical styles and instruments Lesson overview • Lesson 1: Wimmoweh • Lesson 2: African instruments • Lesson 3: African rhythms • Lesson 4: Group composition • Lesson 5: Singing African Songs • Lesson 6: Listening to African Music • Research assignment (cover lesson/homework – no listening required) Vocabulary • African instruments: o CABASA large gourd with a handle covered with a network of stringed beads o KORA a harp with 21 strings, resounding in half a large gourd, covered with skin o TALKING DRUM A drum with two heads which are kept taut by strings o MARIMBA A set of wooden bars arranged in a row over a set of resonating gourds o DJEMBE A large single-headed drum o THUMB-PIANO A wooden board with thin metal strips attached to it • Polyrhythm and cross rhythm • Call-and-response • Ostinato • Layering • A capella • Close and parallel harmony Assessment • Performing: singing an African song (Lesson 5) • Composing: creating a rhythmic ostinato as part of a group composition/performance (Lessons 3 and 4) • Listening: ‘Listening to African Music’ (Lesson 6)

KS3 Scheme of Work – 6 lessons Objectives • To listen to different styles of jazz and its influences: Blues, Ragtime, New Orleans Jazz, Swing Era big bands, Bebop, latin jazz, and rock fusion • To sing songs a spiritual and blues song in the jazz style, both in class and individually • To develop improvising skills using a variety of scales and note patterns (rhythm only, pentatonic minor scale, five notes (C-G), blues scale, chord notes) on given tunes and chord sequences Lesson outline • Lesson 1 – Blues and Ragtime • Lesson 2 – New Orleans Jazz • Lesson 3 – The Swing Era • Lesson 4 – Later Jazz Styles • Lesson 5 – When the Saints go Marching In • Lesson 6 – Improvising Assessment Subject-specific vocabulary • Instruments – piano, drum kit, double bass, trumpet, cornet, clarinet, trombone, saxophone, banjo • Blues notes – where some notes have a slightly lower pitch • Call-and-response – where the lead singer’s phrases are echoed by other singers or instruments • Major scale – an ordinary seven-note scale in a major key • Oom-pah accompaniment – a backing pattern where bass notes alternate with chords, all on the beat • Syncopated – where the offbeat notes are accented • Swing – where the beat is divided unequally into a long note and a short note • Rhythm section keeps the beat and accompanies with bass line and chords • Frontline instruments play the original melody (head) and improvise • Improvise - make up the music as you go along • Head – the original, composed melody of a particular song • Scat singing • Walking bass • ‘Ten-to-ten’ rhythm – repeated crotchet and two swung quavers on ride cymbal Assessments • Performing: playing ‘In the Mood’ on the keyboard (Lesson 3) • Listening: listening exercise on ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ (Lesson 5) • Composing: improvising on ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ (Lesson 6)

22 pages of notes on the Romantic Piano Music strand of AoS1 in the AQA Music A Level Each of the six pieces is introduced with contextual information Each piece has a detailed structural analysis Each piece has a colour-coded analysis by elements of music Also included is a checklist of 25 ‘Romantic Piano Music - typical features’

One-page summary of Elements of Music for GCSE or KS3 Music pupils.

A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill. Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with the lyrics for all of the verses printed in between the staves. The complete edition of '50 Christmas Carols' is available as a pdf and Sibelius file from TES resources, or as a paperback from Amazon.

Poster showing the influences of New Orleans (trad.) jazz (1917-1930) and New York Dance Bands (1917-1930) on the Swing Era (1928-1945). Word docx and pdf files included.