Comments from professionals:
The Patchwork is fabulous. Oh boy. What I love is the range of songs. Oh boy. The Buffalo Creek song is superb. And all the rest. Thank you so much. Love, doug
Doug Yarrow
"Michael and Carrie Kline have introduced hundreds of students to the sounds and songs of their community. It is not the songs being heard on the radio, but the sounds of a hundred years ago. . . . There is no one we've encountered who can mesmerize fifty 5th graders at once with songs of love and tribulation. Michael and Carrie's method of teaching kids to listen to songs and understand the joy and sorrow in their stories is not only valuable to the life of the song, but to the children's listening ability. During Michael and Carrie's music program, students share what they heard in the songs. They talk about the stories, what they mean, and where they come from."
Nathan Hayes, Program Manager, The Mountain Institute, Circleville, WV
"In the summer of 2007 I had the great pleasure of hosting Michael and Carrie Kline for a performance at the Smith Creek Playhouse in Franklin, WV. . . . The Klines had been on my radar for some time before I decided to bring them to the playhouse as I had heard them play in live performances, radio shows and recordings. . . .
"Audience members were treated to a repertoire of traditional songs from West Virginia as well as more contemporary pieces. These focused mainly on the rural landscapes and communities from which they originated, and often emphasized the struggle between local cultures and modern outside interests that sometimes threatened their ways of life. They shared excerpts from their oral-history-based audio driving tour of Pendleton County, which won the Spirit of West Virginia Award from the WV Division of Tourism.
"Michael and Carrie Kline are not only exceptional musicians with a great knowledge of their music and its roots, but they have a wonderful ability to use their music to educate audiences about historical and cultural events as well. Very few musicians I've heard can transport listeners so fully to another time and place as they can. To see them play is not only to enjoy good music but to feel more connected to West Virginia
and Appalachia in general."
Elizabeth Altemus
Pendleton County Committee for the Arts, Franklin, WV
Comments from students:
*I went down to the hills of West Virginia for a weekend of Appalachian music and lore at the Water Gap Retreat near Elkins. Had never even heard the place when a friend , who had heard Michael and Carrie Kline and rearranged his life to see them again, invited me. So the weather was perfection (a cloudless cobalt sky and sunlight the color of honey) and the landscape sublime and the cabin was cozy and the food delicious and host gracious. But it was the Klines -their warmth and love for each other and the people whose stories and songs they have dedicated their lives to recording and sharing -that was the ultimate gift. Michael Davis, founder and host of the Retreat writes on his beautifully designed website, that he hopes to offer "enriching and memorable workshops" in a beautiful setting. And that's exactly what this workshop, Appalachian Singing, was -enriching and memorable.
*This class was a life-changing experience! It was amazing. I learned so many things on so many levels.
*Excellent class.
*Good technique coverage, excellent immersion into events that can
be chronicled. Would NOT have missed trip into flooded area. Excellent!
I have many good ideas as to how to put Oral History techniques
to use. Field trip to mountaintop removal was VERY important. Tell
the college they should have Appalachian Studies Department. They
would increase their enrollment and have something very valuable to offer the academic community.
*Eye-opening, provoking, educational. Carrie and Michael have so much to share and are great teachers. They planned a wonderful week
for us. I can’t say enough good things about my Oral History class and teachers. It was truly an eye-opening and thought-provoking
class and the Klines are to be commended for planning such a complete week.
Comments from our Elder Hostel Students:
*A simply great and enthusiastic presentation of the power of the oral tradition by two delightful and competent persons!
*A very engaging couple. One loves both them and their music.
*Both music and commentary proved the thesis.
*Warm, talented, sensitive people
*Especially good, with great sensitivity
*What they are doing is most important.
*Unique insights into special areas of life and culture lovingly presented
*Carrie and Michael helped each of us to think and express our ideas and feelings on many things in our past that have reflected on the way we feel and act today.
*The Klines were inspiring. The classes were always enjoyable and thought-provoking. Both were charming and friendly. I really was quite fond of them.
*Unbelievable. Words can’t describe this program.
|
