A Combined Harvest

Various authors

Rating:

A Combined Harvest is a collection of 30 songs from various composers, suitable for the celebration of harvest. The compilation includes songs suitable for use across KS1 and 2, written in a variety of styles. There is a range of themes from those dealing with harvest, to those covering more general ‘autumnal’ topics, as well as more specifically Christian songs about God’s creation and thanksgiving. As such, many of the songs could be used all year round.

The book itself is well presented with piano scores and acetate masters included. The collection also includes a CD with high quality performances of each song by the ‘Out Of The Ark’ Choir; a separate CD of the backing tracks used on the performance CD is also included. The extra bonus of this compilation is a CD-Rom, which has several options for use. In its ‘assembly’ mode it gives a full screen, powerpoint style presentation of the words; this needs to be moved on manually. In its ‘classroom’ mode, the words are displayed, together with either the vocal or music backing tracks, and change automatically to keep up with the tracks. The words also change colour to indicate which line the children should be singing. The only small criticism is that the colour chosen does not stand out enough.

This is an excellent resource which I have already used in school with a fantastic response.

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Reviewer: Andrew Hornsby, Music and RE Subject Leader and Collective Worship Co-ordinator, Holton-le-Clay Junior School, Lincolnshire

Review posted on: 20 October 2008

Product information:

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