Ten Pieces

BBC Ten Pieces opens up the world of classical music to 7-14 year olds. Explore our exciting films, lesson plans and instrumental arrangements.

How to use Ten Pieces in the classroom

New to Ten Pieces? Use this quick guide to get started on your journey of musical discovery.

Classical Music for Early Years / KS1
Classical music lesson plans and resources designed to introduce Early Years and KS1 children to the composers Gustav Holst, Jean Sibelius, Vaughan Williams and Kerry Andrew.
Attribution
EYFS/KS1 • Ages 3-7
Grażyna Bacewicz – Overture
Classroom resources for Ten Pieces Trailblazer Grażyna Bacewicz, who broke new ground as a female composer in Poland.
Attribution
KS2 • Ages 7-11
Johannes Brahms – Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G minor
Classroom resources for Ten Pieces Trailblazer Johannes Brahms who was inspired by Hungarian folk music.
Attribution
KS2 • Ages 7-11
Delia Derbyshire – Doctor Who Theme (original theme by Ron Grainer)
Classroom resources for Ten Pieces Trailblazer Delia Debyshire who launched a whole new world of music into everyone’s living rooms.
Attribution
KS2 • Ages 7-11
George Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue (excerpt)
Classroom resources for Ten Pieces Trailblazer George Gershwin who composed music full of the energy and playfulness of New York City in the 1920s.
Attribution
KS2 • Ages 7-11

Ravi Shankar – Symphony – finale (excerpt)
Classroom resources for Ten Pieces Trailblazer Ravi Shankar who shared his passion for the sound and traditions of Hindustani classical music with the whole world.
Attribution
KS3 • Ages 11-14
Hans Zimmer – Earth
Classroom resources for Ten Pieces Trailblazer Hans Zimmer, who created unique and powerful soundtracks that have influenced a whole generation of musicians.
Attribution
KS3 • Ages 11-14
Kerry Andrew - No Place Like
Teaching resources and inspiration for Kerry Andrew's No Place Like, a modern choral piece suitable for all ages written especially for Ten Pieces.
Attribution
KS3 • Ages 11-14
Johann Sebastian Bach - Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Resources for the classroom on German musician and composer Bach and his piece Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
Attribution
KS3 • Ages 11-14
Leonard Bernstein - ‘Mambo’ from Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story'
Secondary resouces for exploring the music of American composer, conductor and pianist Leonard Bernstein.
Attribution
KS3 • Ages 11-14

All Resources
All our Ten Pieces resources, exciting short films, lesson plans, arrangements and more.
Attribution
PRIMARY/SECONDARY
Intro and orchestral films
Take a look at our collection of films introducing the individual pieces alongside the performances.
Attribution
PRIMARY/SECONDARY
Lesson plans
Lesson plans and resources for introducing children to classical music with up to six weeks of learning and activities.
Attribution
PRIMARY/SECONDARY
Orchestral and choral arrangements
Instrumental and orchestral arrangements with scoring notes for classical music including Bach, Beethoven and Mozart.
Attribution
PRIMARY/SECONDARY
Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND / ASN / SLD)
Classical music lesson plans and resources for teachers working with young disabled people, specific learning difficulties (SLD) and sensory impairments.
Attribution
PRIMARY/SECONDARY

Resources for ensembles / orchestras
Explore our multi-ability instrumental arrangements or improve your confidence in leading your ensemble with these virtual workshop videos.
Masterclasses & Live Lessons
You can use these videos to prepare classroom activities, plan exercises and develop imaginative creative responses to the music.
Continuing Professional Development for Teachers
Learn how to get creative with the Ten Pieces repertoire with our virtual CPD workshop videos.
BBC Bitesize: Composing with Ten Pieces
These at home KS3 guides will help students to compose their own music. Set as homework or your daily activity!
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