Another school year approaches and I thought I would share what resources I have at the ready! For me, it is all about having the right resources and then using them consistently. I always aim to provide my students with everything they need for the course – including my lessons (I hope!). This isn’t a sponsored post, it is simply what I use in my teaching. Alongside these resources I use a range of “classic” textbooks, as well as streaming services for music and podcasts. I would love you to share any additional resources that you use as it is always helpful to learn from others. I will update this blog over the coming days and weeks as I learn of more great resources!
The Greatest Resource
The greatest resource in music education is you, the music teacher. When you go back to school next week I want you to remember that. This means that you need to look after yourself, invest in your career and not suffer in silence. You might work in a one person department and I know how tough that is. So please, get in touch if you need support, advice or a listening ear. But invest in yourself, look after yourself and never forget your value to music education.
What works best?
Every school is different, every class is different and we as teachers are all different. You therefore need to think about what is going to work best for you. A lot of these ideas are more geared towards secondary teaching, because I spend most of my time in a secondary classroom. But they are also what works for me and my students. But the resource alone is one thing, it is how you use it and embed it in your teaching that matters. Technology is great, but how we use it is the important thing. A website can be packed full of knowledge, but we need to help and guide our students as to how to best use it.
So please, make sure you think about your context when looking at anything. You might read about amazing projects in schools that simply wouldn’t work for you. Or maybe you have an issue you want to tackle that another school doesn’t
MTA – Podcasts, Webinars & Ensemble
Music Teachers Association is amazing – I know I am biased. But it is, and not only that but it provides a termly magazine and a free monthly podcast. Alongside this MTA advocates for music education, supports its members through webinars and provides an amazing conference every year. Join today and benefit from the resources on offer. And don’t miss our 2027 conference which is taking place at my school in Windsor! And to top it all off we have a newsletter in support of our movement to see A Choir in Every School.
Mastering A-Level Music
This website by Alex Aitken is the bible for all Edexcel A-Level Music Teachers. I cannot recommend it more highly and I use it every day. My students love it, and it has led to better outcomes in the appraising paper in 2025 & 2026.
Music First
Music First have so many online cloud based resources on offer for teachers. Please do visit their website to find out about software such as Auralia, Musition, Noteflight and much more! Cloud based technology is a life-saver for music teachers and there is so much you can benefit from with Music First!
Music Department Resources
This website by my good friend Liz is just incredible and I urge all teachers to sign up for it. It is affordable and well worth every penny. It offers resources for Key Stages 3-5 and the questions for students are amazing. Liz is there to support if you need anything and she shared this link for some free resources:
Music Department Resources
Sparkyard by Out of the Ark
If you are looking for songs for your singing assembly or concert, then look no further than this website. Geared towards Primary schools, this website provides everything you need to teach music and get students singing songs. I use this in all my Primary work, and I find the website may to use and the songs wonderful to sing! Powered by Out of the Ark, sign up for a free trial today!
Sing Up
I have been a member of Sing Up for years and I love using their songs and resources. There is something for all key stages and all the resource you need to get your students singing. If you haven’t used it I would be surprised, but if not, get on there today and get ready for the new term.
Passing Notes Education
Secondary teachers who are teaching GCSE and A-Level need Passing Notes. Chris provides webinars, training and resources for everything from set works to Bach chorales. All the webinars are affordable and amazing and I urge you to check out the website today. The back catalogue of webinars is amazing and covers all exam boards.
I Can Compose
If composition is a focus for you this year than this website if where you need to land. I Can Compose has everything from composition projects to listening resources. Rachel has thought of composition from the ground up and I love her listening sheets.
Focus on Sound
I have been using Focus on Sound for years and I love the way it works and supports my students. And I love to focus on sound and music in my lessons, because let’s face it, that’s what the listening paper does. This software is a one stop shop for key terms, set works and homework. Create lessons, set work and have it mark it for you.
Elemental
My students performed better as a result of Elemental, and I love seeing them use it. Imagine an AI powered, self marking, homework setting website machine that your students will love using. Elemental is more than just listening questions, it is key terms, set works and dictation. It is a wonderful resource and one I will be using even more this year.
Yu-Studio
This year I have been working with Music First & Charanga to see the true power of Yu-Studio. This web-based DAW is even more powerful than ever, and students from all key stages will be able to use it to create music. It has the sounds, effects and video guides to ensure that every base is covered, and my students loved putting music to the included video clips.
MTI Broadway Junior Musicals
We put on a Junior musical every year for our year 9 & 10 students. MTI provide the license and all the resources you need for just £500. We have recently put on Newsies Jnr, Fame Jnr, Mary Poppins Jnr & Shrek Jnr. All great fun shows and there are so many in their catalogue. Check them out and see if you can’t find your next school musical.
The Listening Service Podcast
This is a great podcast for those students who want to go a little deeper. Tom Service comes up with great topics that really do bring music to life and I urge you to listen! And then, make sure you get your students listening!
Sticky Notes Podcast
Another amazing podcast that is maybe more suited to A-Level students. but it is also a podcast I love to listen to as I embark on a journey of musical discovery. As teachers we should always be looking to deepen our knowledge of music, and that is what I use this podcast for.
Music Teacher Magazine & Resources
Music Teacher Magazine arrives every month and I always find it packed full of ideas, inspiration and resources. I love the longer resources that focus on a key area, and I am pleased to say I have have written a few myself. Subscribe to the print or digital edition and benefit from the articles and ideas. It helps me feel connected to music education and is the best post my pigeon hole at work receives.
Music Mark
Do check out the resources page on the Music Mark website. They provide loads of members, but also resources and webinars for the sector.
Resources at the ready
I hope this roundup of resources has given you some ideas. Alongside all of the above I use Cubase, Sibelius and Ableton in my teaching. Soundtrap is a great DAW, and there are loads of great websites out there like Incredibox to keep your students entertained. Find what works for you and do share your ideas below. I love learning from others and I am always on the look out for new ideas and resources.
And don’t forget to book on to the Music & Drama Education Expo for February 2027!
