Review from , Jan 2008, written by Lesley Beadle, editor of reviews section. (Reproduced with permission)

Brian Beresford, One More Time! Music Publishing, 2007, CD 24 tracks, £12.00, available from www.onemoretime.biz

Music can enrich the worship experiences of our pupils, but if you are not particularly musically minded or aware, it can take a long time to find that certain piece of music that will accompany your worship theme and enhance the opportunities for reflection that you offer your pupils.  There are lots of ‘chill out’ music on the market but compilations may often be well used tracks and the last thing you want your pupils to be thinking about as you guide them into reflection is that provocative ad for a pair of jeans! 

‘Wanderweg’ is different and it is unique.  The 24 instrumental tracks have been written, performed and produced by an accomplished and experienced musician who happens to be a primary headteacher leading worship in school.  Having successfully written and produced other songs and works for children, Brian Beresford responded to what he saw as a ‘need’ for appropriate reflective music to use in school collective worship.  ‘Wanderweg’ is the result.  The music is not intrusive, nor is it tedious. It is intended to create a worshipful atmosphere, conducive to individual spiritual development.

The varied tracks are specifically designed to help children reflect during worship and are appropriate for use with differing worship themes, festivals, school issues or to provide a background atmosphere during prayers. Titles include ‘Wanderweg’, ‘Welcome The Day’, ‘The Dove’, ‘Flame of Hope’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Fishers Of Men’, with these and every other track having its own relevance for reflective worship.

I personally welcome a CD of this kind and can see it saving worship leaders a lot of time searching out suitable music.  It is difficult to pick out one track in particular as a favourite as they all provide pleasant easy listening experiences and I found my thoughts flowing freely.  Apparently the title of the CD ‘Wanderweg’ was inspired by a family visit to Switzerland where the alpine paths are named ‘Wanderweg’, meaning hiking path – and Brian Beresford hopes that his music can help take children’s worship to a higher level.  I also like the fact that the tracks vary in length, giving worship leaders a good choice to fit the intended purpose.

At £12, this is a reasonable price to pay for a resource which has been successfully tried and tested on the harshest of critics – children in school, and it is good to know that a compilation will be wholly suitable for the purpose for which it was bought.  If you want to enrich your collection of collective worship resources you would do well to start with ‘Wanderweg’, although it will also have its uses in the classroom.

Snippets of Brian’s music can be found on his website (see above). 

Lesley Beadle