Where can we find imaginative and engaging composition resources for secondary music students?
Following our popular post from a couple of years ago, I’ve compiled a new list of composition resources and websites for 2025. They are listed in no particular order and include:
- NMC Recordings
- BBC Young Composer
- Passing Notes Education
- London Sinfonietta
- I Can Compose
1. NMC Recordings: GCSE Composition Resource
Works from the NMC catalogue are the starting point for practical lessons and student exercises in this GCSE Music Composition Resource written by Dr Steven Berryman.
This composition resource provides creative inspiration for students tackling the composition module of the GCSE syllabus through exploring music by 6 NMC composers. It’s available as a free PDF download from the online store, or is included as a module in the interactive music classroom software Focus On Sound.
Works by 6 NMC composers are included as examples and starting points for detailed composition tasks, listening exercises and activities for students, to help them in their own composition writing. In addition, there are Spotify playlists with further listening taken from throughout NMC’s catalogue that demonstrate extra examples for each composition element explored in the resource.
2. BBC: Composition Resources for Young Composers
These BBC composition resources offer a wealth of guidance, starting points and tips for student composers.
From video game music resources to interviews with composers and ideas for getting started, there is much to explore here!
3. I Can Compose: Online Composition Courses
Composing a theme and variations? Exploring melody-writing? Learning how to modulate to different keys?
I Can Compose offers award-winning courses for secondary students in different aspects of composition. The specialised composing courses include a model composition which is broken down lesson by lesson enabling the student to follow the compositional process.
Sign up to a free course to try out the format and style, or check the detailed summary for a free taster lesson in each premium course.
4. London Sinfonietta: Composition Challenges
This year London Sinfonietta won the The Rocksteady Award For Progressive And Inclusive Music Education Award at the Music & Drama Teacher Awards for their excellent initiative: Composition Challenges.
Each Composition Challenge explores the work and approach of a different contemporary composer, supporting curriculum learning and helping young people engage with creative composition. Composition Challenges are designed to be easy to use, flexible and open to all, from complete beginners to those with more experience. A short film, supported by a teacher pack, will guide you through each challenge with a variety of activities to get your class composing.
5. Passing Notes Education
Passing Notes Education provides specialised and affordable GCSE & A level composition webinars for secondary music teachers and a range of downloadable composition resources to support teachers and their students with writing music.
The webinars focus on particular exam boards and/or aspects of composition and can be booked and rewatched at a later date.
