Janet came into my life 38 years ago when Skip and I got married
Transcription
Janet came into my life 38 years ago when Skip and I got married
s e i r o m e M Janet came into my life 38 years ago when Skip and I got married. She was my maid of honor and became such a dear friend and neighbor. Incredible that we ended up actually living right next door. The four of us used to get together to play cards and would end up singing hymns out of the hymnal. We decided it didn't sound too bad so Janet began arranging some music that fit our voices. One thing led to another and hence the "Soundtracks" began. Of course that was such a blessing in our lives and all those wonderful experiences we shared will be in our memories forever. However, more important was the friendship and the time spent with our families. Our daughter Cindy considered Janet her "second" mom and I was always grateful for the love and encouragement Janet gave her during those difficult teenage years. We had many family dinners, times in Chelan, Christmas' and, of course, many New Year's Eve celebrations to bring in another birthday for Janet. That became a tradition for many years. Both Skip and I feel so blessed to have had Janet in our lives and spend such wonderful times sharing and living life with her. May the Lord Bless Janet and Bless her family and friends as we move forward in our lives. Let's keep music and love in our hearts. Janet, you will never be forgotten. ~ Shirley and Skip Daniel Janet Elaine Allyn was the closest friend I ever had. For over 30 years, Janet was many things to me….mentor, teacher, counselor, musical guru, like a big sister (sometimes like a mom), my confidante and my best friend. There is too much to say about the beautiful person Janet was (that will fit in a few sentences here) so I will keep it simple. Janet always believed in me, more than I believed in myself at times. Her confidence in me was a precious gift in my life, one that has helped me become who I am. I have no idea why I was so richly blessed to have Janet in my life, but I am so grateful that I was. She was truly a gift from God and her impact on my life has been profound and lasting. I am a better, more loving person because of her influence and unconditional love and I will carry her spirit with me always. ~ Nancy Dahlberg 1 Memories of Janet 1. In the winter of 1966, the Axidentals II had been rehearsing a number of songs, all acapella, and felt we needed to get our music "out there" a little bit. In that year, the Washington Music Educators Ass'n were having their bi-annual conference in Spokane.. Since three of us were already working as teachers, we decided we should attend the conference. The focus of this conference was on jazz in the public schools, featuring Hal Sherman's Pacific Jr High Jazz Band along with , Olympic and Central College bands. Following an afternoon of instrumental jazz performances, we performed in a lounge in the basement of the Ridpath for many of the educators. Everyone marveled at the quality of Janet's voice and the blend of our voices. They even had us repeat numbers. Singing acapella jazz was unheard of before that time, but after that time, several prominent schools began Jazz choirs. We like to feel we had something to do with that. 2. Janet and I team-taught the Music Theory sequence at Bellevue College. I taught the "chord/harmony" part and she taught the sight-singing/ear-training part. She often went above and beyond the course requirements to teach our students how to apply what they'd learned to writing songs, even teaching special (unpaid) classes in song-writing. Bellevue didn't see fit to create a course around that, but Edmonds College did, and she taught at both colleges for awhile. It was all about sharing her enormous gift with others. 3. On Janet's return to the Northwest, she lived in University Place for awhile. She had written so many Children's Pageants during her years in Phoenix, that she feared she would "lose them" as her dementia worsened. We catalogued about 15 of them out of hundreds. Nancy Dahlberg has performed many of them with her children's choir, and a few have been published. 4. In Spring of 2008, Tom Almli, the present director of Celebration! invited all of the former directors and students of Celebration! to attend their Spring Concert at Bellevue College. He greeted Janet warmly, as well as Harley and thanked them for building such a strong tradition at Bellevue. Janet thoroughly enjoyed the present-day Celebration! group, smiling through the entire performance. ~ Dale Gleason When Janet joined our faculty at the then Bellevue Community College, Dale and I were looking for new ways to give students not only adequate preparation for careers in music and education but for a greater enrichment of life in general. Because of her experience, obvious joy in music, love of people and enthusiastic delight in meaningful teaching, it was obvious we had found the perfect match for our department. Yet beyond the immediate needs, we found a spirit of generous giving in Janet that reached beyond our greatest expectations. I truly feel Janet was anointed by God because a light shown about her. Her gift of ministry was the joy of creativity, the blessing of humility , the love of music and deep empathy for the apprehensive soul. Her voice of velvet was an obvious gift to be lavishly shared. Her contributions to the success of our music department and to the community groups she directed are beyond measure! Her dedication to the welfare of her students transcends that of teacher and nears that of a saint! Our close working relationship was made of joy, mutual respect and always directed toward the betterment and encouragement of our students. Her life should serve as an inspiration and cause for "Celebration!" ~ Harley Brumbaugh 2 For the past 30 years, I had the privilege to know and work with Janet in music – performing, recording, traveling. First as a student, then as a peer – both as her drummer and as a friend. I always felt it was a gift to listen to her voice; during hundreds of hours of live performance, in large groups and small, the sound of her amazing voice reflecting the beautiful person that she was – a treasure that God created and gave to us all. Both in Seattle and later in Phoenix, she was always close by to perform and sing another song – s haring her wonderful gift of music. I’ll never forget our first Thanksgiving after moving to Phoenix, the birth of our first daughter and many other special times. The talent shows and pageants in Arizona in the late 90's were just like the “cabaret” and “variety” shows in Bellevue and the Seattle area in the 80's. She once again arranged, rehearsed, wrote new material, and, as always, gave the gift of confidence to seasoned singers and amateurs – both very old and very young. Many lives were changed as a result, and I enjoyed every performance from behind the drum set. She often introduced me to others as "my drummer". I will always remember, and always cherish, her friendship and unending kindness – and, of course, her voice. ~ Dan Seabreeze " ...if we're lucky enough, we have people ~ in our lives ~ who reflect back to us that we are valuable, that we matter, and that we are loved.” Janet will always have a special place in my heart: I see her smile and hear her sweet voice and laughter; I feel the love and warmth of who she was as a person. Janet had a strong influence on me — both musically and personally. She had a great heart: a generous, compassionate nature — I loved that about her. I have such fond, happy memories of working with her in her small combo with Dan Seabreeze and Mark Giralmo. Janet & the Gentlemen we were called (a.k.a. Janet & Company). Our favorite gigs, Janet’s in particular, were wedding receptions: We loved seeing the delight of the attendees, and enjoyed the opportunity to add to their elation with our music. We loved the food! Almost always the band would be invited to partake of great food, and great desserts. These were fun gigs (and we got paid too!). Janet was an exemplary performer, and never failed to please her audience. ~Rob Lindfors I met Janet in my music theory class back in 1980. I joined the “VJ” group back with my guitar in 1981 and got the privilege of sitting next to her in the rhythm section. Janet was a wonderful and talented person. I never met someone who could play piano, write and arrange music like her, and her singing voice was amazing. She was a great supportive teacher. She could play anything except the solos unless they were written out. She said soloing made her nervous (ha) and that she was chicken to improvise so she gave them to me. OK. My thing. I didn’t mind. We had a lot of good laughs, at my expense, of course. Like everyone else, I really liked her. I couldn’t imagine the “VJ” group (CELEBRATION) without her. She was the main connection. It was a real nice for her to think about me and invite me to her 60th birthday party when she was up from Arizona. After so much time passed, she was still the same personable person she always had been. I’m so sorry she is gone - she died to young. We all lost a great friend and musician. I will always remember the fun times we had. Janet was a truly wonderful person. ~Steve Woistman 3 In the 16 years Janet lived with us in Phoenix, She shared an amazing amount of music, art, love and humor. She was so wonderful with me and my family, helping out with Kaitlyn and Karli when they were babies up through their high school days. The girls sang in her choirs, tried out dance moves and tried on costumes for her. They did art projects with her, and loved the treasure maps she made. Janet had a wonderful eye for drawing and made some beautiful tile murals. Janet worked hard, sharing her songs with everyone! She would put in hours of time and energy writing songs for people and the churches she worked with. She would wake up in the night with a new song in her head and spend hours writing it down and putting in the tracks and vocals. She didn't work for the money, she just wanted to give everything away. We tried to get her to sell some of her songs, but it was against her nature. Janet's sense of humor was great! She would crack a joke out of the blue, when things got too serious. Her jokes were never mean or spiteful. Even in her later days when things were scary for her, and she knew she was losing her memory, she still had a sense of humor. She would joke around about it. Her strong spiritual faith helped her get through some pretty tough times throughout her life. She wanted to share love with the world, and it comes through every song she wrote. I have shared the music she made with hundreds of children in my preschool dance program for 10 years now. Her inspired songs continue in my life. I have been touched by Janet Allyn, and I will never forget her. ~ Barby Rhind What I remember is her uncanny sense of pitch, her beautiful sound, and her exquisite musicianship. She had an innate ability to ‘lead’ the group without saying much of anything. A true musician’s musician. She was always encouraging and thoughtful beyond compare, and one of a kind. But it was her voice that even today would be unique. We were all serious about what we were doing, but the sound of the group, the Axidentals II, was really the voice of Janet’s. When we arrived at recording sessions, we gathered in a circle to sight-sing the latest Ford, Best’s Apparel, or Oberto Pepperoni radio commercial advertisement. Sometimes it was a hoot going from cars to pepperoni with a few minutes of recording. I remember her laughs and smiles were infectious and brought a level of confidence and excitement to all of us. Janet never got uptight in rehearsals...she didn’t have to! That look across the circle was enough that no translation could ever put into words what was going on in her mind. No doubt, the mistakes didn’t happen again...or at least not in the same place! During our years together she brought joy through her music to her many friends, both known and unknown. Her contribution cannot be measured but to say she was an angel, both in voice and in person. ~ Gene Aitken (organizer ofAxidentals II) Janet inspired everyone with her music. She was a brilliant composer and a wonderful entertainer. She was deeply spiritual and spent most of her life teaching and helping others. She was never short a quip and enjoyed a sudden banter between friends. She overcame a difficult beginning to endure life's challenges and blossomed into a successful, energetic, and vibrant person. The family gatherings at her home have always been a reminder of her unfailing commitment to family. The world was a better place when she was here. We will always miss her, and love her. ~ Ed Brookman 4 Janet and I met when we were in Madrigal Singers at the University of Washington, she a music education major and I a misplaced business student. It was clear from the start that Janet had special musical talents and it was my privilege and joy to get to see and share in those talents and watch them grow over the years. We shared many musical experiences together starting with her first (paying) music job; directing the choir at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in north Seattle. It was a good opportunity for her to develop not only her directing skills but also to expand her knowledge of choir music. After we moved to Bellevue, Janet started her wonderful relationship with (then) Bellevue Community College and some of people she would share a lifetime of friendship and music with, in particular Dale Gleason, with whom we had sung at the U, and Harley Brumbaugh. These were some of the happiest years of her life. She loved the music, the teaching, and especially the people – both students and staff. At this time we lived next door to our good friends, Skip and Shirley Daniel. One evening, instead of playing cards, we decided to see if we could do four-part harmony and hauled out some hymnals. We immediately noticed that we had a really nice vocal blend, so the singing started being more prevalent than the card playing. Skip’s brother, Rob, had written a song for his upcoming wedding and asked if we might sing his song for them. We said we would love to, so Janet took his melody and, as she would do so many times in the future, arranged it into amazing four-part harmony specifically for our voices. We liked the outcome of that so much, we decided to do more. Janet started arranging and we started rehearsing. Skip and I had both been in barbershop choruses so it wasn’t surprising that our first “public” appearances were at barbershop shows and “afterglows”. Barbershoppers love a cappella music and really appreciate great arrangements and tight harmonies. As a result, they really liked to listen to The Soundtracks, the name we called our mixed quartet. Janet’s arrangements showed off the unusually smooth blend of our voices and always captured the interest of the listener. Her life was always full of music. Dale got us involved in another group, The Axidentals II, where we revived some of the charts of a vocal jazz group. We also recorded some radio ads; Janet and I did several as a duo and she did several on her own. One ad that got a lot of play, mostly due to her fantastic voice, was one for one of the radio stations in Seattle (I think it was KVI). Her rich soprano tones were the signature song for the station for many months. We also tried our hand at nightclub gigs – week ends only – in several places in the Bellevue-Issaquah-Renton areas. It was fun because we were doing it for fun, not for the money (although that did pay for the instruments, costumes and gas). It started to get old after a while, though; loading electric piano, guitar, amplifier, speakers, and electronic drum machine named Duane (after her brother the drummer) into the car on Friday nights, setting it all up in the lounge and then repacking everything to bring it home on Saturday night. Janet continued with her music; performing, directing and writing, at one point combining her love for music with her love of children by writing several pageants especially for the children. She also wrote and recorded many, many of her own songs. Of all the gifts she gave our world, two of the most amazing and wonderful, of course, are our two daughters, Cindy and Michelle. Each has inherited musical talents from her and is continuing to make music in her own genre. Janet left us so many wonderful Continued... 5 moments during her lifetime and we are thankful for the blessing of having shared some of them with her along the way. I think a poem by John O’Donohue says it very well: Though we need to weep your loss, you dwell in that safe place in our hearts where no storm or night pain can reach you. Though we cannot see you with outward eyes, we know our soul’s gaze is upon your face, smiling back at us from within everything to which we bring our best refinement. Let us not look for you only in memory, where we would grow lonely without you. You would want us to find you in presence, beside us when beauty brightens, when kindness glows as music echoes eternal tones. May you continue to inspire us: to enter each day with a generous heart. To serve the call of courage and love until we see your beautiful face again in that land where there is no more separation, where all tears will be wiped from our mind, and where we will never lose you again. ~ David Hansard What an incredible Children’s Choir Director Janet Allyn was. Here at the Arizona Interfaith Movement, she put together a choir from children of our 25 different faith traditions. With their sweet voices and the “sign language” movements she taught them, they were our most popular public relations section. When the Governor wanted to impress visiting dignitaries, she would call on that choir. She did this so often that she knew some of the children by name. They also were invited to sing the National Anthem at several Diamondbacks Baseball games with 40,000 people in attendance. The most wonderful thing is that Janet not only taught the children good music, but also taught them tolerance, understanding, and love regardless of their religious affiliation. Janet’s physical presence has made the transition, but her loving presence lives on for which the Arizona Interfaith Movement is eternally grateful. ~ Dr. Paul Eppinger, Executive Director, Arizona Interfaith Movement We've missed Janet, and I know she sparked many a Golden Rule light within the children she knew and worked with. I'm really thankful for that and for the opportunity I had to know her. I'm sure she is continuing on her upward spiritual journey and we'll always have a special place in our hearts for her at the Arizona Interfaith Movement. ~ Anne Taylor 6 I first met Janet and her family in Chicago in 1969. Our youth and idealism brought us together there, but we did not find what we were looking for in the midwest and were soon gone. When I headed west in March of 1970, it was to look up friends up and down the west coast. When I got to Seattle I loved it and knew it was where I wanted to be. Janet and her family were the first people I knew here, and they were so generous that they allowed me to “camp out” that summer in their basement until I had a job and a place of my own. Terry and I were married in June 1975 we were delighted to have Janet and David sing at the wedding. They had beautiful voices, and when their gift for music matured into performing and recording with The Sound Tracks, we went to hear them. We still have one of the albums. When Janet and sister Marilyn moved to Lompoc California, we went to visit. It was good to see them still following their intuitive approach to life and their spiritual path. When she moved to the southwest, we kept in contact by e-mail and she sent recordings of the music she composed for Terry to use in the classroom. We were delighted to see Janet again on her visits to Seattle in recent years. We love and will remember Janet because she gave from the heart and blessed all around her with her music, her positive energy and her spiritual approach to life. She is one of the most generous, talented and visionary people we have ever known. ~ Charlie & Terry Payton I was in Celebration when the name was first adopted (early 80's)! Janet was a true friend and mentor. I had written two songs and she immediately offered to do the vocal arrangements for me. On our tour I got to perform one of them on television in Mexico City, with dancers and Celebration doing back up vocals. It was both terrifying and one of the high points of my life! She also put together a recording session with her husband, Dave, and singers from the group, and made it possible for me to have good quality recordings of both my pieces. She was my angel! ~ Leslie (Moulton) Asplund I remember one of our 50’s shows where Janet, as our MC …went back and forth across the stage introducing songs, dressed like a 1950's carhop on roller skates! We heard a crash off stage and the audience probably thought it was part of the shtick... But she was not able to stop [on the skates], and so she fell, sustaining a serious break of her arm! And instead of rushing off to the hospital, she insisted on staying to play piano for almost the rest of the gig. "The show must go on..." was her mantra. And that shows what dedication she always had for our performances. ~ Kay Scharr (Vocalmotion) One Voice, One Gift My first encounter with Janet was during the awkward years of my young adolescence. A time when it seemed my only companion was my love for music, the melodic embrace of my good friend would always be there to assure me that everything was going to be okay. At the time, I was an apprehensive ninth grader who lacked self-assurance yet mustered up enough courage to enter a Solo and Ensemble Contest, where young aspiring songsters could vocalize their raw talents while standing innocently before an obliging mentor of music. Who in turn, judged you, an ironic predicament I usually tried to escape from. As I entered the stage of adjudication, I was soon greeted with a warm smile from the stranger sitting at a table near the back of the room; the kind stranger soon followed her greeting with a reassuring salutation of welcome, soothing my already daunted nerves. When my juvenile rendition of “I Write the Songs” came to a final close, I stood there in heavy silence, heart pounding and body rigid as my eyes rested on the gentle gaze of the stranger sitting before me. The voice of the stranger soon captured my empty silence, it was a voice of reason, a voice that exuded grace, a voice with subtle empowerment to quietly guide me towards my own potential, a voice that connected me to acceptance, a voice I would later have the privilege to harmonize with, a voice that made me a better person, a voice so pure with genuine undertones, a voice I will always appreciate and a gift I will forever cherish. ~Anonymous 7 Janet was a lovely and extremely talented woman. To this day, I still remember that Steve was able to talk her into singing “Ramblin' Man” for the Cabaret show (in BCC's cafeteria), and how fantastic she sounded singing that rugged type of tune, despite her much higher talents. ~ Mary Beth Woistman Kite I have many wonderful memories of Janet. I’ll never forget the time when we all sang Christmas carols in her neighborhood! :) ~ Josie Rivera-Powers I lived with Janet, Cindy & Mitch when I was in college. Janet was a beautiful and creative being …but now she is free and I'm am convinced that she has spread her wings and is SOARING. I can see her smile, the twinkle in her eyes and hear her contagious laugh. I am happy for her and I hope she has found her peace at last. ~ Mary (Atkinson) Gilliam What a talent and what a woman. I am remembering many heartfelt talks and laughs. Even though it's been quite some time since she and I spoke....I will miss her. ~ Mary Beswick Marchese Janet was a great director, but also a wonderful mentor to me during my first year in Celebration. I especially remember her voice, so light, but powerful and sooo smooth. The way she could transition from note to note was incredible. I often wondered what happened after she moved to California and never got the chance to meet up or talk with her again… ~ Betsy Cochran-Stratton I sang in Celebration the year Janet directed, 1986-87. What a wonderful lady. I will always remember her fabulous "Karen Carpenter-like" voice. She taught me so much, and that was the best year! ~ Kristin Crane Janet was an amazing woman with so much to give. I will forever have wonderful memories of my years with her as my teacher and mentor in Celebration and TLC. ~ Annette Crosley Brown 8 Janet Elaine Allyn ONLINE GUESTBOOK COMMENTS Janet was also the director for Vocalmotion, a Bellevue women's musical ensemble that performed around the Seattle area for many years. She was a friend to all of us and arranged much of our repertoire. She was inspirational, creative and generous. With her insights and arrangements we were off and going, performing around the area as much as once a month... There were 2 directors after her, but no one else could capture the spirit of VM like she could. She was irreplaceable. We all look back fondly on this period of time as having such an impact on all the members who had a chance to perform under her direction. She helped create some of our favorite lifetime memories. I wish to extend my sympathy to her family and acknowledge the contribution she made to so many with her talents and positive energy. ~ Kay Scharr Janet Hansard, as we knew her in Vocalmotion, was "a true Gift". She was inspirational, talented beyond anything I had ever experienced, motivational and beautiful inside and out. I remember the time she roller skated off stage & fell & broke her wrist & walked right over to the piano with a smile & played as if nothing had happened..."Showmanship" at its best! And when she sang, it was the voice of an angel. Everyone in Vocalmotion was sad when she decided to pack-up her life and move to the bigger arena of show business in California. I'm sorry I lost track of her after that. All I knew was that wherever Janet was, they were very lucky to have her! My sympathy to her family for their loss. We will all miss you Janet! ~ Sharon Dykstra Marquardt The gals of Vocalmotion will never forget Janet. We loved her energy, her talent, her love for people and we were so grateful for her direction "launching" Vocalmotion. She will truly be missed and I want to extend my sympathy to her family. May it comfort you to remember how truly Janet was loved and admired by all who knew her. ~ Beverly Drury As a member of Vocalmotion, I will always think of Janet with a smile on my face and a melody in my heart. She truly brought our music alive with her many talents. You will be missed, Janet, by all of us and any of those who's lives you've touched. ~ Nancy Manseth Janet was a true mentor to me for years, in Vocalmotion. She was positive and instructive, always giving the best she had. She had endured many hardships and pain in her life, and yet she maintained an attitude of acceptance and forgiveness. I have a deep appreciation and love for her... I still use some of her arrangements with my students! ~ CynDee Aerts Many years ago, Janet was my sister-in-law. It is sad that she is gone. I am hoping that someone somewhere has video of her singing that they can upload to YouTube, so that we can see her pretty face and once again hear her wonderful singing voice. ~ Jay Kelley 9 CONDOLENCES Gone from our sight, but never our memories; Gone from our touch, but never our hearts. Janet shared herself and her talents with so many people. She will live on in so many hearts and through her music. We feel privileged to have known her all these years. ~ Jim and Alice Blattner We will all miss Janet. What a special lady. I call her "THE VOICE". Those two songs that Dan put on Facebook gave me a chill, Goosebumps, and at the same time a warm feeling in my heart, not to mention the tears. … I know that the service will be a wonderful celebration of her life and a great musical tribute. …So Many memories!! ~ Uncle Skip and Aunt Shirley I know it is very hard to lose your Mom and you will miss her forever. I had not seen Janet for a long time, but I definitely have so many memories of my friendship with her. She was a wonderful woman. I want you to know that she loved you sooo much ...and you can always be sure that she knew (and still knows) how much you love her. Mothers just do - it is one of the miracles of being a mother! …She was beautiful. I send my deepest condolences and will keep you all in my prayers. Sending love and a big hug. ~ Cheryl Brown Parker Janet was a great woman with a REMARKABLE talent and energy. She drew the best out of us ever day. God just couldn't wait any longer; he has a choir of Angels that desperately needs a good director. :) ~ David Vey She was a great lady and one of the greatest musicians I’ve ever worked with. ~ Doug Peters Janet was a gift to all and will be truly missed. May she rest in peace. Sending a warm embrace and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ~ Tita Rojo Lee I have many wonderful memories of Janet. Wishing you peace and lots of love around you as you move through this. ~ Shawn Stonebraker Janet helped so many people in her life and brought out the best in all of us. She is an angel among angels now. My thoughts are with you. ~ Shawn Lambert My heart goes out to you. Janet was a beautiful spirit who touched all of us, as a teacher, a mentor and a true inspiration. ~ Karen Williams Continued... 10 CONDOLENCES continued... Just wanted you to know how fortunate we were to have her in our life, cherish that always, as I know how much she loved you. You held a very special place in her heart. What a fine person to be associated with, I too feel so lucky. ~ Bill Brown I am so sad... Janet was SO nice to me, taught me so much in school and at her house for private lessons. I adored her and her beautiful voice. I still have an album she did with the quartet! I recall her picture perfect skin, voice, sparkle eye. I am so sorry. ~ Lyn Adams I was one if many who loved Janet. Your family is in my heart and prayers. ~ David Young So sad to hear the news of your Mom...our Aunt Janet. So many fond memories have come to the surface with this sad news. …thinking of you and your family. ~ David Daniel She was always generous and kind with me. My heart-felt condolences. ~ Craig Flory 11 In Loving Memory... Please visit the temporary site of the Tribute page: www.seabreezedesign.com/ janet