Music for Assemblies
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Music is an important part of collective worship in primary schools, and there are lots of good children's songs available for use in an educational context. If your school does not have a musician who can accompany singing, look for songs on CD or MP3. The advantage of using a pre-recorded track is that it can be used as a reflective listening piece, or as a backing track for live singing.
For some schools it is appropriate to choose songs that assume a level of religious commitment (songs which are more confessional, using the personal pronoun and inviting a direct response to God). In other schools, where pupils come from a mix of faith backgrounds, it is more appropriate to choose songs that speak of God in the third person and involve more community response. When selecting songs, it is important to respect the individual's religious freedom and not impose beliefs on them.
Whatever your situation, it's good to choose songs that reinforce the major theme of your assembly where possible. More importantly, keep coming back to a repertoire of regular songs that your pupils can come to know and grow in confidence with. Below are some suggestions for books, CDs and websites that you may find helpful as you plan the singing in your assemblies. |
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Music Books
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CDs and Web Resources
There are a number of individuals and companies working in primary schools who have produced resources written specifically for collective worship and assemblies. The songs in these CDs tend to be written with sensitivity to the multi-faith environment. In particular, we would recommend looking at the Fischy Music website and at material produced by Out of the Ark.
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Fischy Music
Singer songwriter Stephen Fischbacher has been working in schools for many years. Most recently, Fischy has been producing songs around issues of social and emotional wellbeing in primary age children.
www.fischy.com |
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Build Up Resource Pack (CDROM)
Produced specifically to consider issues of self-esteem, bullying and friendship. Catchy original songs look at the impact of our behaviour and affirm the individual's value in a diverse community. The issues are serious, but it's a feel-good album. |
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These are our Emotions Resource Pack (CDROM)
A collection of tried and tested songs that help children to be able to recognise, understand and manage both their own feelings and of people around them. Themes include setting boundaries, expressing anger, accepting oneself and forgiving people. All of the songs give strong support to key curricular areas across the UK. |
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I Wonder Why? Resource Pack (CDROM)
An album of catchy easy-to-use songs that help children question and wonder about the world around them. The songs encourage children to think about other people, their community and the wider world that surrounds us all |
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Down To Earth Resource Pack (Christian Themes) (CDROM)
The album is an inspiring collection of new songs that are thoughtful and reflective yet catchy and fun. Its songs are easy to pick up and incorporate multi-cultural elements as well as contemporary influences. For schools, Down To Earth fills a gap in resources that are currently available. It is perfect for use in Religious Assemblies as well being an extremely useful resource for RME/RE. |
Out of the Ark
Mark and Helen Johnson have been producing music for primary schools since 1989 and there is a large catalogue of resources on the Out of the Ark website, ranging from music for assemblies to whole school productions.
www.outoftheark.co.uk |
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Omega Zone
Dave Godfrey is an experienced primary teacher and musician. There is a range of CDs and DVDs on his website.
www.omegazone.org.uk |
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DuggieDugDug
Doug Horley is an experienced children's worship leader.
www.duggiedugdug.org |
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Ishmael
Rev Ian Smale has been producing children's worship songs for 40 years.
www.ishmael.org.uk
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