Performance Reviews

The Perfect Fit Wedding Review

Hi Lorinda and Deborah!

    Matt and I just want to Thank You so much for playing at our wedding! Everything sounded so beautiful and all the guests loved it! Your music made our wedding day even more special because it was so elegant and different from other weddings I have been to! Once again, Thank You all so much for playing at our wedding!

Lorinda's concerts in Brasstown are always well received and well attended. She is an accomplished mountain dulcimer player, and we enjoy her dulcimer music, especially her baritone dulcimer with its deep, rich tone. But folk harp players are scarcer than hen's teeth around here and for many of our concert goers, the harp is the big draw. And Lorinda doesn't disappoint, playing everything from classic 18th century Irish harp tunes by Turlough O'Carolan, to hymns, fiddle tunes and even a spirited rag. She often surprises us with a guest artist or two - usually some of our many local musicians.

Bob Dalsemer

Coordinator, Music and Dance Programs

John C. Campbell Folk School

http://www.folkschool.org

Lorinda Jones performed traditional folk instruments at Lebanon Elementary on March 28. As I observed the presentation to the fourth and fifth grade students, her musicianship impressed me. However, what really amazed me is how she incorporates core content into her performance. This presentation was very educational and was clearly focused on student learning. I truly appreciate Ms. Jones for coming to Lebanon Elementary and can only hope she enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed her.

Kandice Spalding

Music Instructor

Lorinda Jones Visits Roundstone

Lorinda Jones Visits Roundstone

By: Lance Isaacs, Megan Cromer & Desiree Mason

Today, October 9^th, 2008, was a fun day at Roundstone Elementary School. We had a surprise in the cafeteria. Mrs. Lorinda Jones came to teach us about music and instruments.

Mrs. Lorinda is a dulcimer player and she played and showed us instruments like the old harp. It looked a lot different from the ones today. Mrs. Lorinda was very informative. She sang lots of old Kentucky folk songs with us and she could play the African banjo, too. She taught us a political song about a cat that would not go away, about how a country long ago could not get rid of a political leader. She is a very talented musician. We were all so amazed that we did not want the time to end.

She also gave a free concert at the famous Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Thursday night for all of the students and their families.

We would like to thank Mrs. Jones for coming to our school, and also thank our lovely principal, Mrs. Patty Renner for having her. We really enjoyed her performance.

School Performance Reviews

Roundstone Elementary Performance Review

When Lorinda Jones visited Roundstone Elementary School, the students were first attracted to the various types of instruments she displayed and identified. Once the students gathered around her she began playing and singing as if casting a spell. Her performance explored the landscape of the Celtic soul and mountain wanderings while capturing the very essence and mists of the long ago. With her knowledge of the music, her voice and skillful interpretation with each instrument, Lorinda's enchantment breached the lines of age from the smallest pre-schooler to the most senior of the adults. Her interaction with people, care for each audience member, interest in the school's music program, and genuine love of the world around her makes Lorinda a truly remarkable and captivating performer and human being.

H. Allen Pensol

Arts Coordinator

Rockcastle County Schools

School Performance Review-Creekside Elementary

Lorinda Jones and Mark Gatewood visited Creekside Elementary on Friday March 21^st, 2008. Lorinda's performance was not only entertaining, but also informative. She took the kids through a musical journey of culture and history. She had instruments from Native American, Traditional Appalachian and West African cultures. Students could see instruments like the dulcimer and the gourd banjo and hear the different sounds they made as Lorinda demonstrated each of them. Lorinda is also very talented and knows how to play each instrument and performed songs with Mark from different periods of history, including Kentucky. Mark accompanied her on the guitar and the fiddle. For some of the songs, Lorinda encouraged students to participate by teaching them parts they could sing on their own. The information given not only allowed students to experience the arts firsthand, but also gave them valuable information pertaining to the Kentucky Core Content Test.

Sarah Howlett, 5^th Grade Teacher

School Performance Review-Lincoln Trail Elementary

Our students enjoyed the review performance that Ms. Jones shared with us. The journey through history and the detailed musical excerpts were exactly what our students needed for the unit review. The original musical instruments were a great asset, the song selection was perfect and the listening examples were age appropriate. The children enjoyed seeing and listening to this performance and are still talking about it. This was a perfect ending for our Appalachian Music unit.

Beth Root, Music and Drama Teacher

Lebanon Elementary Core Content School Performance

Lorinda Jones performed traditional folk instruments at Lebanon Elementary on March 28. As I observed the presentation to the fourth and fifth grade students, her musicianship impressed me. However, what really amazed me is how she incorporates core content into her performance. This presentation was very educational and was clearly focused on student learning. I truly appreciate Ms. Jones for coming to Lebanon Elementary and can only hope she enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed her.

Kandice Spalding, Music Specialist, Marion County Schools

"Thank you so much for creating beautiful, healing music for Cancer Survivor Sunday..It was truly a gift to have you and your friends sharing your talents."

Kentucky Cancer Program

"The response to Winterfest has been extremely positive...the shot in the arm we needed."

Winterfest, Alabama

"Thank you for making our wedding reception so special. Your performance was a beautiful touch!"

E. R., Elizabethtown

"Thank you for blessing our listeners with your beautiful music on the morning show!"

WQXE

"On behalf of the Kentucky World Trade Center, I wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation for your attendance at the Muhammad Ali Center. You did an outstanding job entertaining our guests and added a memorable touch to our event."

Martha Layne Collins, KWTC, Former Governor of Kentucky

"I want to take this occasion to personally thank you for staging such a wonderful concert for the benefit of the restoration of the Historic State Theater. Not only was the evening filled with beautiful music, the Plum Alley was also full of paying patrons! Your time, talent, and generosity will always be remembered."

Historic State Theater Complex, Inc.

Your new CD is as stunning to listen to as it is to look at--what a gorgeous cover. ('Course, I expect you know I'm rather fond of blue!)
The selection of tunes was great--it is, for me, a perfect mix of never-heard and old familiars. I like how it all "hangs" together...and the musicianship...ahhhhhhhhh (awe!). Beautiful arrangements and performance...it is a recording I will listen to many times (and have done so already!). (Butterfly, by the way, is exceptional!)

Janita Baker

Lorinda,
I just want to say a great BIG THANK YOU for providing LDS with a most memorable and enjoyable afternoon. As far as I can tell the workshops all went well and the the concert was wonderful---I do believe that is the most talent we've had on that "stage" at one time---ever!! Your selection of tunes was great and exposed the audience to variety of music & instruments. How easy you all made it look to play those instruments so well & seemingly so effortlessly. WOW--what talent you all have been blessed with!!! Please relay this message to Bruce & Kelsie as they added much to the success of this event!! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors . I & others hope to get down your way in November.

Lynne
Louisville Dulcimer Society!

I must thank you, Bruce, and Kelsie for putting on by far one of the most class act performances we've ever had. It was the most culturally fascinating performance we've had since I've been here.
Chris Mullins, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Resident Musician

I appreciate your professionalism you displayed in your playing and your willingness to go the extra mile with the harp. This year's concert was the best received and attended.
Steven Skaggs, Music Minister

I can't begin to tell you how enjoyable and meaningful your program of music was to the Elizabethtown Woman's Club... I think it has been the highlight of our year.

Kitty DuPlessis, Program Chair

Thank you so very much for visiting our school last spring. The students and staff enjoyed the program and learned a lot. They talked about it for days afterward.
Mike Gee, Principal Joe Harrison Carter Elem.

You were a delight and a treat and revelation to hear solo... your stage presence is wonderful... love your phrasing, polish   and everything in your playing
Nancy Bick Clark, Cincinnati Celtic Festival

"Your workshop was the best one that I attended during the French Lick festival. And what an experience it was to watch you share your love of the dulcimer and music to the group. It was 'catching', and made me love the music even more."
Theresa Williams, Dulcimer Festival, French Lick, IN

"By the way, we had some extra A&H textbook money left over. I have ordered 15 dulcimers for us! I am really excited to use them next year and to use your Mountain Dulcimer book/CD. It's a great resource!" (in reference to Lorinda's new book Mountain Dulcimer: A Design For Success with an accompanying CD )

Kelly Cruze
Music Teacher
Morningside Elementary
Kelly.Cruze@etown.kyschools.us

No Shadows CD:
Wow!!! What a nice compilation of music for the dulcimer. This may very well be the best representation of the mountain dulcimer that I have heard. Most presentations are overpowering with the dulcimer, No Shadows, allows the dulcimer to be pre-eminent. Super!!
Thank you very much for the CD. I want to pick up some more at the Heartland Festival. Also would like to talk with you about the way you over-dubbed the tracks and the procedure for recording. That is fascinating.
MLJ

Have fun, Lorinda--gonna do the "watermelon crawl" too? Hey everybody, Lorinda has got a sweet new CD--I've been enjoying in it my car this week--crisp sound, creative arrangements that invite the listener deep into the tunes--major AND minor tunes! Very nice--you'll be sorry if you don't pick this one for your collection!
Steve Eulberg, www.owlmntnmusic.com

Hi Lorinda: just wanted to send a brief note to let you know that I finally got enough stuff unpacked to be able to listen to your new CD the other night and have probably played it half a dozen times since then. It is superb. I liked both the old favorites and some "new" to me favorites. I had never heard Bound for the Promised Land in a minor key before - something new to appreciate. Peace.
Brian

I am completely in love with your CD. I've kept it playing while I work on the project, and find it very soothing and yet inspiring, at the same time.   I've got several other friends that I know would very much enjoy your music as well. In fact, one friend, who engaged me to do this project is very loyal to her Scottish heritage, and I know would love to have one. I give her something Celtic related every year for Christmas, so would love to have one to set aside for her next year's Christmas present. I'm thinking about another friend who loves Appalachian music, another that's a massage therapist, and a friend who just established a music therapy program and library at Norton-Audubon Hospital in honor of her husband who was a pathologist there before his death from liver cancer. Also, my sister works with special needs kids in Bullit County schools, and I want to share this with her.
I hope my enthusiasm isn't going overboard here, I'm just very taken with the loveliness of what I'm hearing, and just had to share it with you. I'm very grateful that this project has brought me into contact with you, and I'm so glad it will enable me to let others enjoy your gifts as well.

N Doctor

Lorinda, I couldn't get home fast enough tonight to listen to the C.D.   What can I say but.....
I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!

Really, it is a beautifully done C.D.   I honestly don't know which song I liked best. The whole thing has lilt to it and lots of feeling. That Bass dulcimer and the Baritone come across so richly it gives me goose bumps!!

I really liked the selection of songs. I thought it was a good mix. Wayfarin' Stranger/Shady Grove/Cluck Old Hen is wonderful. I will definitely recommend this C.D. to people who want to hear good old-fashioned traditional music. It's one that I would buy for myself (and I'm pretty picky) even if I wasn't included on it.

Again, thank you for letting me be a part of such a "high class" project. This is a moment I will treasure forever.

Jean

Lorinda,
I wanted to send you a brief message to tell you how very much I am enjoying your cd's I purchased at conference. I have been listening to them during my quiet time every evening before bed and find them very relaxing. You are truly an amazing and talented woman - what a blessing it has been to get to know you better.
T Haynes