Jan Kraybill: Press/Reviews

Thanks for a fabulous concert on Sunday afternoon!!!!   You really outdid yourself.  ...  The Jongen was incredible - it seemed that you were in an ecstatic state.

The organ concert was absolutely wonderful. I love Jan Kraybill for her musical insights and her prowess in commanding a technically demanding musical instrument. Every organ is unique, and with just 4 days' preparation, she was able to show us the great variety of sounds the Rufatti organ at Immaculate Conception has to offer.  She played a wide variety of composers--Bach, Buxtehude, Franck, Dupre, Bolcom (an amazing gospel style setting of "Amazing Grace") and Jongen, and with each one she found appropriate sounds for the style of that composer and period.

Your concerts are fun! I really enjoy the way you relate to the audience and give them clues of what to listen for. There were four women in my row for whom this was the first organ concert and they were very attentive and involved.

Thank you for the marvelous program last Sunday. I brought my organ student ... she was very inspired by your playing ... the screen was great for her to see your pedal technique. ... A quality of your playing that is outstanding is your ability to bring out the phrasing and accents. Even in the most rapid passages (such as occur in the Vierne sketches) the effect is always clean and bouyant.

Just returned from Jan Kraybill's spectacular Super-Bowl Sunday Organ Recital. The lady is all fingers and feet, riotous rhythms, scintilating sounds, and glorious fanfares! Listening and watching doesn't catch it all . . . but IT'S there bigger than life ... floating around and in you. "WOW!" is too cheap an accolade,... but it will just have to do.

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your Super Bowl concert. For the last two years in a row, your concerts have come at a time in my life when I needed a bit of a lift, and each time you've given me one. It was so great to leave my worries behind for a couple of hours and just enjoy some wonderful music in a friendly atmosphere.

Very lovely recital Sunday, Jan, very very nice. Thank you so much for playing for us...fabulous!

If you've never heard--or SEEN--Jan play, you've truly missed a remarkable experience. Try to make [her concerts], if it's at all possible for you to do so. I guarantee that you won't regret the effort!

My twelve year old son continues to catch me off guard with the statements he comes out with. While talking with [my wife] about possibly going to Jan Kraybill's super bowl organ recital next weekend, [my son] interrupted in disgust. "What are you two talking about?! Of course we're going to that! She's awesome! At least I'm going."

... after the exhilarating evening at your concert Monday at the Church of the Incarnation in Dallas. May your so obvious God-given inspiration continue to challenge all of us to risk sharing our own gifts with such joy!

Jan Kraybill's concert was by far the best organ event we have had in Jacksonville. She is not only a great organist, but what a musician!

I JUST PURCHASED YOUR CD AFTER ATTENDING YOUR PERFORMANCE IN JACKSONVILLE AT JACOBY HALL. MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH AGREED IT WAS THE BEST ORGAN RECITAL WE HAVE HEARD AND WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR COMING TO JACKSONVILLE TO SHARE YOUR TALENT. AM SURE WE WILL ENJOY THE ALBUM. THANKS AGAIN.

Enjoyed your concert so much yesterday. I brought my neighbor who is not an organist and she enjoyed it as well. You really have a way of making the organ "talk" and "come alive". One of my friends who was there yesterday said he normally doesn't care for Bach but your first number was his favorite. I believe you do something with Bach's music that makes it so special.

We had a wonderful time at yesterday's concert! Thank you for wonderful planning - and wonderful playing. You help me believe that there is a future for this fabulous instrument.

It was great to have the chance to see and hear you yesterday. You were nothing less than a knockout! An appealing program, wonderfully played, and of course a fine instrument and space. ... you had the audience "eating out of your hand" from your first comments and your first number. I hope you realize how much your interesting and helpful commentary adds to your overall appeal (and I am amazed at how you can pull that off so well, especially in between such challenging numbers). You speak as well as you play, and the audience loves it all!

I enjoyed the organ arrangements in the prelude and the hymn introductions. The Bach at the end was also great. ... Your hymn story on Nun danket was fascinating ... Anyway, thanks again for working up the program and making the Wicks sound great!

I attended your recital at Wayzata during the convention and enjoyed it very much- especially your Sei Gegruesset variations- electrifying!

We just want to thank you again for the weekend in Ann Arbor. The workshop on worship was informative and helpful. ... Your example on mentoring was memorable. Later that evening, it was exciting to see you mentor one of our young friends in just the same way that you had demonstrated. Your concert was amazing. It is easy to take for granted that with your talent and dedication we will hear beautiful music, but it would be unfair to not give you the credit for the hard work that is involved. We are blessed that you continue to share your passion with us. The Hymnfest on Sunday was inspired. It was apparent that the congregation was moved by the experience.

If you have never been under her ministry try it. She had us doing some really fun things and then she would have us connected to the power source in some very powerful ways. Singing songs from all over the world with women who can sing was one of the great joys of the weekend.

I wanted to thank you again for coming to Lincoln and giving your recital at St. Paul. Your recital was one of the best that I have heard this year :) I hope that I will get to hear you play again sometime.

I attended your workshop last Saturday and your concert which was awesome!

But what I truly appreciated was your skill and sensitivity in accompanying the choir's music. At no time did the organ overpower the singers, and you managed to show its versatility of sound and effect as an accompanying instrument.

The AGO is very fortunate to have you as an advocate and leader.

I again, want to express my appreciation and thanks for the wonderful gift you gave our community. I especially appreciated the educational component you provided. The context you provided was very helpful in listening to each work. ... You must love going to work every day, knowing you can access two of the finest organs in the country.

The game [Super Bowl] was good, but the organ concert was better! After watching the physical prowess of left hand over right, smooth and rapid footwork, fingers moving at speed of light, and on and on, I don't know why you would ever have to go to a gymnasium.

What a remarkable evening... cannot remember being so enthused, inspired and overwhelmed by the magnificent music and your wonderful narrative!