Bright Star is the latest offering from celebrated choir master Gareth Malone, together with composer Catherine de Sybel. The publication sets out a vision for comprehensive singing in assemblies – a tradition long since passed in the age of secular education. Confession time: I am just about old enough to remember hymn singing at school. I also seem to remember a range of secular songs creeping in to the overhead-projector-driven-assembly-list, including Pete Seeger's venerable Where have all the flowers gone?, several Beatles numbers, and the then fashionable Any Dream Will Do.
Malone and De Sybel have devised a collection of songs that address modern-day issues impacting students. Particularly aimed at years 4, 5 and above, the collection opens with It's my first day. Each song comes with a short introduction outlining the issues addressed, and suggestions for approaches to rehearsal and performance.
Some of the scansion reads slightly awkwardly, giving the songs a charmingly naïve quality. This, combined with first day's bouncy refrain and squelching synth backing, give the track an almost Matilda-like appeal.
The palette is further coloured by the inclusion of Don't Know What I'm Looking For, co-written with Gary Barlow and writing partner Eliot Kennedy. The lyrical content of this title particularly stands out in its universality within a collection of ten fun titles.
Introducing all-school singing is a brave mission, particularly at secondary level, where changing physicality can make learners unduly conscious of their instruments. The cleverly thought-out melodic contours throughout Bright Star offer flexibility and easy engagement, without restricting the quality of the music. The collection is a useful and light-hearted resource.
