Appalachian Tidbits

Songs from Appalachia are an important part of our musical heritage: Old Joe Clark, Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier and L’il Liza Jane. The key signature may look like E-flat major, but when the flatted seventh is used it has a modal sound. The first and last songs are fiddle tunes; for contrast, a sad lyrical tune is sandwiched in between. The parts are accessible to young players, everyone plays the melody at some point, and ensemble playing is a critical element. Players and audiences will enjoy this trip to rural America.