Music Teacher Resources
Wicked provides learners with the opportunity to experience and evaluate a live performance. Wicked's
musical score was composed by Stephen Schwartz and has a live orchestra of 17 musicians at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London.
Defying Gravity is a set work for GCSE Music and learners can also sing the songs from Wicked as part of
extracurricular singing and musical theatre qualifications.
Study Wicked's Defying Gravity as part of the
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Music Exam
Photo by Mark Senior
The Original Broadway Cast recording of 'Defying Gravity' featuring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, is currently
a set work for the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Music Qualification, within the music for stage and screen component.
GCSE Music Specification Download teaching notes from
Pearson Edexcel for Defying Gravity
Composer and Lyricist Stephen Schwartz
on 'Defying Gravity'
Watch composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz discuss his musical themes and
inspiration behind many of his score's iconic motifs and melodies, including 'Defying Gravity'.
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Additional free 'Defying Gravity' music resources
for GCSE Music
The role of the Conductor and Music Supervisor on Wicked
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Useful links
Get Your Musical Theatre Qualification by
Singing Wicked's Biggest Hits
If you're working towards Singing or Musical Theatre qualifications within school or as an extracurricular
activity, you can choose to sing songs from Wicked.
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ABRSM Singing for Musical Theatre [Practical and Performance Grades] - Grade 5
'I'm Not That Girl,' Wicked
ABRSM Singing for Musical Theatre [Practical and Performance Grades] - Grade 8
'Dancing Through Life', Wicked
ARSM Performance Diploma - Performance Diploma
'No Good Deed', 'The Wizard and I' and 'Defying Gravity,' Wicked
Trinity College London Musical Theatre
No set list, performers can choose any song from Wicked
Trinity College London ATCL Performing (Musical Theatre) - Musical Theatre Diploma
No set list, performers can choose any song from Wicked
Did you know?
Stephen Schwartz is the winner of three Oscars® - 'Best Original Song' for 'The Prince
of Egypt' ('When You Believe') and, in collaboration with Alan Menken, 'Best Score'
and 'Best Original Song' ('Colors of the Wind') for 'Pocahontas'.
Mr Schwartz was only 23 when his musical 'Godspell' premiered in 1971.
More than 50 years later, productions are still being performed all over the world.
When Wicked won the Grammy®, it was Mr Schwartz's fourth win, having
previously won two for 'Godspell' and one for 'Pocahontas'.
Music is published in the UK by Hal Leonard Europe.
Original Broadway Cast Recording on Decca Broadway.
