BBC Ten Pieces announces new collection of works by women composers

BBC Ten Pieces is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a new collection of works by 10 female composers.

The selection features a broad range of orchestral, vocal and gaming music, including a new BBC/ABRSM/Music for Youth co-commission from Cassie Kinoshi.

Recordings and accompanying resources for 7- to 11-years olds will be released on the BBC Teach website at the start of the autumn school term.

According to a BBC press release, ‘The aim of this latest phase of the project is to increase the quantity of music by women composers studied and performed by children and young people, and to continue supporting teachers in delivering high-quality music education.’

Before this announcement, just six works by women composers featured across the four Ten Pieces lists, which began in 2014.

New online content will include filmed performances by BBC Orchestras and BBC Singers, short films introducing the music and its composers, orchestral and vocal arrangements for varied ability levels, and curriculum-linked classroom activities and inclusive resources.

In addition to content on the BBC Teach website, the BBC Orchestras and Singers will deliver live educational workshops and performances for children around the UK.

The new collection of works comprises:

Sally Beamish Haven from Seavaigers

Hildegard von Bingen O Euchari in leta via

Margaret Bonds March and Dawn in Dixie from Montgomery Variations

Lili Boulanger D’un matin de printemps

Reena Esmail Sun Sundar Sargam (BBC commission)

Cassie Kinoshi Name TBC (BBC/ABRSM/Music for Youth co-commision)

Marianna Martines Allegro con spirito from Symphony in C

Laura Shigihara Grasswalk from Plants vs. Zombies

Errollyn Wallen Mighty River (extract)

Judith Weir Magic from Storm

The new collection was announced on International Women’s Day, with nine of the ten pieces featured on BBC Radio 3’s 24-hour broadcast of music by women composers.

BBC’s Ten Pieces aims to open up the world of classical music to 7- to 14-year-olds and inspire them to develop their own creative responses to the music.

Resources from previous Ten Pieces lists are freely available at bbc.co.uk/teach/ten-pieces