Don Lordo

Don Lordo is a freelance percussionist in Knoxville, Tennessee. After studying with Joseph Rasmussen at Tennessee Tech University, Don took a varied path - working in music retail, as an English teacher, and as a “for hire” percussionist/drummer for various groups throughout Tennessee, Texas, and Missouri. Since settling in the Knoxville area, Don has played with numerous groups including the Oak Ridge Philharmonia as timpanist, Scruffy City Orchestra as principal percussionist, drummer for the Swingtime Swing Band, and countless performances with area churches, school musical productions, and local bands. As an educator, Don has worked with various school programs throughout Middle and East Tennessee in capacities ranging from battery arranger to Assistant Director. Currently, he serves as the front ensemble tech and sound designer for the Maryville Red Rebel Band in Maryville, Tennessee, and the percussion instructor for Music Arts in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. In June of 2024, Don was asked to join the Music Ministry at The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville as their Timpanist/Percussionist. In that capacity, he was asked to perform as timpanist with the Tennessee Wind Symphony for the ordination of the fourth Bishop of Knoxville, the Most Reverend Mark Beckman. Don has operated DGL Percussion, a percussion repair and fabrication business, since 1999. Don specializes in timpani repairs, as well as fabricating “uncommon specialty instruments,” such as trines, wind machines, lujons, and the like. Don has proudly used Artifact Percussion products since 2017, and is honored to now be an official endorser.