My Harvest Home

A Celebration of Polish Songs, Games, Dances and Customs

Andrea Schafer, Illustrated by Peter Schafer, With Performances by the Pytlik Brothers Polish Folk Ensemble of Chicago

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ISBN 0-937203-69-6 Book/Audio CD SET $22.95

This musical journal introduces you to Andrea and Peter Schafer, third generation Polish-Americans, and the heritage they love. My Harvest Home is a heartfelt collection of some of Andrea's favorite songs, dances, games, sayings and customs from a variety of regions of Poland -- customs that are very much alive in the homes and hearts of Polish-Americans from Chicago to New York to Wisconsin.

The Schafers not only share with you a taste of Poland's cultural richness, but also give you a springboard to activate your students' imaginations, to enhance a music, social studies or ESL curriculum, or simply to guide you to a greater appreciation of the heritage of so many Americans.

There is far more to Polish music and dance than the polka! Both Andrea's and Peter's homelife taught them this early on, and their many trips to their families' homeland truly opened their eyes and ears.

The Schafers are members of a professional Polish folk dance troupe, that brings Polish music and dance into American life and builds bridges of understanding through presentations of Polish culture. Join them on this wonderful musical journey!

The 8 1/2 x 11 book includes:

• Historical and cultural background about Poland and the Polish-American community
• Copy-OK Map of Poland
• Musical selections for all ages and abilities including Polish, phonetic pronunciation, English translation, Copy-OK musical transcriptions and personal reminiscences
• Recipes - widely known and well-loved
• Many illustrations by Peter Schafer of traditional Polish papercuts
• Folkart projects to brighten your environment and create a setting for the music

The Professionally Produced Audio CD includes:

• Every selection in the book
• Slowly-spoken pronunciation for every song
• Inspiring performances by the Pytlik Brothers Polish Folk Ensemble of Chicago, with singers Diane Busko Bryks, Peter and Andrea Schafer

About the Author

Andrea Schafer is a third generation Polish-American. She has a BA in Music Education from DePaul University, MA in Vocal Performance from the American Conservatory of Music, and Orff-Schulwerk certification. She grew up in Chicago IL, part of a family that cherished their Polish traditions, including music, dances, games, stories, food and language. She has journeyed to Poland numerous times to visit family and explore her cultural roots. She has performed with various Polish folk dance ensembles for over twenty years, including the Polonez Dancers and the Lira Ensemble. Through performing Andrea met her husband, Peter, also a third generation Polish-American, a dancer and folk artist.