Round and Round the Garden

SKU: HL.374952

UPC: 196288017462. 6.75x10.5x0.029 inches. Mark 11:24, Psalm 4:1, Psalm 66:19, Romans 12:12.

This tender paean to prayer is filled with comforting imagery to consider God's reassuring presence in our lives. As the music recalls these promises of faith, we are surrounded by a beautiful tapestry of sound provided by a user-friendly SAB vocal texture. An optional solo adds variety, and the piano writing helps create a full, satisfying listening experience.

SKU: FP.FBS03

ISBN 9790570500192.

Sarah Baker is Vocal Composer in Residence at Education Music Services, an ABRSM examiner and a well known composer of songs and musicals for primary schools and massed-choral events.

All this experience has come together in the creation of this album of piano pieces, inspired by growing up in the Chiltern Hills. Suitable for players of around grade 4-5 standard, her evocative sound pieces describe a crash-landing hot air balloon, garden invading cows and a even a snake in a pond!

Air Balloon!: One vivid memory I have as a child is of the day that a hot air balloon passed over our house and made an emergency landing on the road in front! The sound of the gas being blown into the balloon to try to keep it high enough to pass the house sounded so loud and intimidating, and then there was the bustle of the neighbours as we all went out into the street to watch. It was both terrifying and exhilarating to watch the balloon float past and then land so near by.

Buzzards Circling: There is something so calming and restful about watching birds of prey circling in the thermal currents of a summer sky. Growing up in the Chilterns gave me plenty of opportunity to watch buzzards and red kites. This piano solo captures the beauty of their flight as they glide so effortlessly through the air.

There’s A Cow In The Garden Eating The Flowers: Inspired by the memory of seeing an unexpected cow in the garden! This surreal image is captured in a quirky waltz, as I portray both the absurdity of the moment and the sense of wonder I felt as a child, looking out of the window and seeing the cow walking round and eating the flowers. The final phrase articulates my longing: ‘I wish it would come again’.

Watching The World Go By: A short, reflective piece, remembering what it was like to have time to just sit and watch the world go by from my bedroom window.

Autumn Skies: A miniature about the beauty of Autumn skies and the poignant sense of loss for a summer gone. Friends I was fortunate to have several children of my own age living close by. We seemed to be forever making dens, playing out in the street and generally enjoying each other’s company. This piece reflects that sense of well-being.

Snake In The Pond: One hot summer I was astonished and scared to see a grass snake cooling off in our garden pond! I watched, both horrified and fascinated, as it rose up from the depths and then disappeared again. Here I portray the sense of the hazy summer afternoon as I peacefully watched the tiny movements of fish in the pond, contrasted with the fear and excitement of seeing the snake appear.

Morning Commute: I recollect many mornings stuck in traffic as my Dad took me to school on his way to work. There is one main road out of the village where I grew up, and that got more and more congested the closer we got to the town. We may not have chatted a lot, but it was always good to be together with my Dad, lost in our own thoughts.

The Witch’s Cottage: My siblings and I had a fascination with a small cottage nearby. It was set back from the road in a dark part of the woods and we called it 'the witch's cottage’. Every time we passed, I imagined I heard the distant cackle of the witch and wished I could catch a glimpse of her.

These pieces are written to complement my other collection, Night Time Impressions, which also draw on childhood recollections, particularly of the woods behind the house where I grew up. - Sarah Baker 2023.

SKU: BT.9780713662405

ISBN 9780713662405. English.

A calendar of sparkling songs for the months, seasons and celebrations of the primary school year. The pack contains a full music songbook with words, melodies, piano accompaniments and play-along percussion ideas. The CDcontains a recording of all the accompaniments to sing along with. The book is illustrated throughout with inventive and engaging line drawings that portray the feeling behind the song perfectly. The CD contains a recording of allthe accompaniments to sing along with. The book is illustrated throughout with inventive and engaging line drawings that portray the feeling behind the song perfectly.

SKU: HL.49016136

Musical Garden for Babies extends an invitation to babies of up to 18 months and their parents to join in a musical game. Making music together at this early stage provides the child with nourishment in three respects: for body, soul and brain. Through songs, rhymes and movement games children and those closest to them can enjoy discovering their own voices and bodies. Simple instruments such as wood blocks, rattles and drums lead the child into the world of sounds. Research has confirmed the positive influence of musical activity on the overall development of the child in their musical ability, social relationships and intelligence. A lesson in the Musical Garden for Babies is structured around the following activities: greeting and farewell songs * rhymes and games for bouncing baby on your knee * finger games and songs to develop awareness of the body * rocking songs and lullabies * songs for dancing and moving about to * echo games * introducing simple instruments * playing with pieces of cloth * listening to music. The teacher's book contains information on infant development, explanations of the principles behind teaching and plenty of ideas for lessons. The song books with CD make it possible to take the sound environment of the music lesson home with you and to keep singing and enjoying the songs with the family.