This resource is a complete KS3 Music Programme Music & Composition Scheme of Work, designed to develop students’ understanding of the musical elements, composition, keyboard skills and listening skills through the study of two famous programme music works.

The resource includes:

• 6 fully resourced lessons with editable PowerPoints, worksheets and keyboard/percussion activities.

• A detailed unit plan with learning objectives and lesson guidance.

• A practical composition and performance assessment with KS3 success criteria.

  Students begin by exploring how composers use the elements of music to represent characters and tell stories through programme music. Using Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, they investigate how instrumental timbre reflects different characters before studying Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre to analyse how tempo, pitch, dynamics and instrumentation create atmosphere and narrative.

Students then revise rhythmic and treble clef notation while learning to perform themes from both works on the keyboard. They go on to explore melodic devices including ascending, descending, arch-shaped, conjunct and disjunct movement, before composing an original melody to represent a character of their own choice. The unit concludes with a practical composition and performance assessment where students perform their character theme and evaluate how effectively the music communicates its intended character.

The lessons follow a clear, easy-to-teach structure, accessible even for teachers with less musical experience, and can be adapted to suit different KS3 curriculum models.

You’ll need:

• A Projector & Speakers

• Keyboards/Pianos.

• Percussion instruments/Drums.

• Student worksheets (included).

• Headphones for keyboards (if needed).

  The scheme includes everything needed to teach the unit from start to finish, including editable lesson presentations, printable worksheets, listening activities, practical keyboard tasks, composition activities and assessment materials. Designed to minimise preparation time, the lessons are engaging, accessible and suitable for a wide range of abilities.

Listening examples are referenced throughout the unit. Audio files are not included due to copyright restrictions, but suitable recordings are readily available on YouTube and Spotify.

Perfect for KS3 Music, this unit covers programme music, composition, musical elements, keyboard performance, notation reading, listening and appraising, and creative music-making.

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