Down in the Valley contents This new collection of traditional singing games is similar in format to Jump Jim Joe. The book has the clear instructions that characterize all of the New England Dancing Masters materials. The songbook features 19 songs from Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia and Bulgaria. Songs are transcribed in two, three and four voice harmony with complete translations and a pronounciation guide. The companion CD includes all 19 songs in duet, quartet, large and small ensemble combinations.
Some songs are a cappella, others accompanied by accordians, guitar, bass, tamburicas and dumbek.
Mary Cay Brass lived in the former Yugoslavia on a Fulbright scholarship from 1976-1978. She currently directs several community choruses specializing in music from Balkans as well as other community-based traditional singing styles. In creating this book with its companion CD, we hope to make these songs accessible to a wider variety of people. And, through our sharing of these songs, help to build some new bridges between peoples.