The project is backed by a range of Ambassadors, helping inspire children and the wider public with their passion for classical music. Schools can also attend workshops and live performances of the Ten Pieces across the country throughout the year. Once students have seen the film, teachers can access online resources to enable students to develop creative responses inspired by the music – either through dance, performance poetry, composition or digital art. Each year the project invites schools to send in creative responses to the music to be featured on the BBC website.
Key Stage 2 or Key Stage 3 Schools can order free copies of the Ten Pieces films on DVD from The project has just launched a brand new set of Ten Pieces (Ten Pieces III) with resources for 7-14 year-olds including short introductory videos, full orchestral performances, instrumental and vocal arrangements, and 6-weeks’ of lesson plans.
Each film features stunning footage of a BBC Orchestra performing a selection of orchestral music that represents a wide range of styles and eras. Schools begin their involvement in the project by watching one of the Ten Pieces films (Ten Pieces I for primaries and Ten Pieces II for secondary schools). The first year of the project engaged more than half of UK primary schools and the initiative has now been extended to secondary schools. Launched in 2014, the BBC’s Ten Pieces is an ambitious initiative for school pupils, which aims to open up the world of classical music to a generation of children by using ten pieces of music as a spring-board for creativity, alongside a range of online resources, UK-wide events and close collaboration with music and arts organisations.