UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 8, Page 10
October 19, 1995
On record; Faculty member preserves heritage through music

     Danilo Yanich has always enjoyed celebrating his Serbian heritage
through music. The associate policy scientist in the College of Urban
Affairs and Public Policy in 1988 with two boyhood friends from
Steelton, Pa., formed an ensemble called Sviraj, meaning "Play!"  The
group recently recorded a CD and cassette, Balkan Jam II, after an
earlier cassette, Balkan Jam I.
     The group features Raczar Lopatic Jr., a classically trained
violinist who also plays the prim; Lenny Tepsich, who plays the bass
and cello; and Yanich, who plays the bugarija and accordion. All three
sing as well.
     "When we play, it really is a jam session," Yanich said. "We play
without sheet music, we improvise. we don't have a set program, and
the music is spontaneous. It's fun, and everyone seems to enjoy our
performances."
     The folk music of the Balkans is "passionate and fiery" according
to Yanich, and ranges from joyous to melancholy. The music the group
plays comes from Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia, Dalmatia and
Romania and has been passed down through generations. The music of
Balkan Jam II ranges from a Bosnian traditional wedding song as a
bride prepares to leave home for her new home, a Croatian love song, a
Serbian kolo (dance) to the dances of the Greek islands.
     Sviraj has played in a variety of settings from the Library of
Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, DisneyWorld to Carnegie-Mellon
University, George Mason University, the University of Delaware and at
music and folk festivals. The ensemble also took part in a five-day
event with the Tamburitza Association of America, in which 19
orchestras participated. In addition, the group offers master classes.
     Future bookings include performances at Kent State University in
February and at West Chester University on March 7.
     Copies of Balkan Jam II at $10 for casette and $15 for CD, may be
ordered directly from Yanich by calling 239-1063.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure