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.
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.
All ten songs from the three Set Works in the Popular Music and Jazz Area of Study (Edexcel/Pearson A Level Music):
Kate Bush, Hounds of Love (3 songs)
Beatles, Revolver (4 songs)
Courtney Pine, Back in the Day (3 songs)
Listening/analysis notes for all 10 songs in this Area of Study
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.
14-page list of literary devices and quotation, in .docx and .pdf formats
29 types of literary device, from alliteration to zeugma
105 quotations from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Explanations of literary devices and quotations
Act/scene/line references
One-page worksheet on literary devices in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, in .docx and .pdf formats
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’
Lesson 4 in Rock ‘n’ Roll
KS3 Scheme of Work – 6 lessons (or standalone lesson)
Objectives of scheme
• 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.
Lessons 2+3 of Rock ‘n’ Roll
KS3 Scheme of Work – 6 lessons (or a standalone double lesson)
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.
Lesson 1 of African Music KS3 scheme of work (or standalone lesson)
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)
A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill.
Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with chord symbols above, and 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.
A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill.
Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with chord symbols above, and 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.
A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill. Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with chord symbols above, and 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.
A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill. Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with chord symbols above, and 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.
A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill. Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with chord symbols above, and 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.
A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill. Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with chord symbols above, and 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.
A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill.
Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with chord symbols above, and 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.
A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill. Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with chord symbols above, and 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.
A complete carol from '50 Christmas Carols', edited by Chris Gill. Arranged for four parts (SATB) on two staves, with chord symbols above, and 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.