Jane Ellen

Dear Friends,

It’s a new year and a new decade, and my prayer is that everyone will have a good year filled with friends, health, joy, and abundance!

This year marks the 25th anniversary of my first published compositions, three choral pieces for Heritage Music/Lorenz. It’s a landmark for me, and a genuine privilege to still be working as a composer and arranger. I’m currently hard at work on a piece for the phenomenal clarinet choir Claribel which I hope to finish in the next few weeks.

The choir of St Michael’s and All Angels sang Sword of Hope (a previously commissioned work, with text by Claire Roth) for Michaelmas Sunday, October 3, 2010. Bishop Michael Voss was in attendance, and I am told he enjoyed the work. Also in October, I was once again privileged to work with the composition students in Petra Dawson’s studio who are not only unbelievably talented, but an awful lot of fun to be around. Continue reading January 2011

Dear Friends,

Autumn has arrived, and with it milder temperatures after an intense and unrelenting summer. The cool evenings and mornings are certainly welcome! The past few months have fled by, and it’s beginning to feel like it will be winter before we know it.

First of all, I’d like to let you know that there are still openings available in the two-part class I am giving on the Dead Sea Scrolls at Congregation Albert (3800 Louisiana NE, Albuquerque). The classes are being offered on consecutive Thursday nights, October 7th and 14th, and you can get more information by calling the Adult Education Office on 505.883.0306. You do not have to be a member to attend, everyone is welcome. I am very excited about presenting these classes (I always knew that double majors in music and religious studies would come in handy!), and I hope to also present some music classes there next spring. Continue reading October 2010

Dear Friends,

I’m not sure what it’s like in your part of the world, but mine is triple digit HOT. I’m seriously missing the lush greenery, the cooling water, and the lovely humidity of northern Missouri where I stayed for a week to attend a Memorial Day weekend family reunion. Highlights included hanging with my cousin Bobbi (who took pictures of me getting my feet wet in the Mississippi), seeing a fox from only a few feet away, attending church at the Shrine of St Patrick whilst my Aunt Ellen played organ and my cousin Laddy served at the altar, meeting a cousin I didn’t even know I had (Mary Ann), having a great time with her and Bobbi (we “girls” giggled so much we nearly drove my Aunt crazy), and going four-wheeling with my cousin Cyndy. I hope to go back for another visit soon.

I am thrilled to announce that organist James Thomas David Gonder will be performing the Canadian premiere of my work Danse des Esprits in September 2010 as part of a concert in Toronto, Ontario. Progress continues as well on the indie film Lukisan Hati, which has seen a flurry of media attention after an official launch and press screening in Malaysia. Work continues on an English translation, and the film will soon be available for downloading via the Youngstreet website (www.youngstreet.com.my). I’ll be sure to keep you posted as more news develops. Continue reading June 2010

Dear Friends,

I hope you’re all enjoying the arrival of spring (or autumn, depending on your location!). I travelled by train to Santa Fe this month and was able to rest and recharge for a few days, but I am now back in Albuquerque with lots of news to share!

Excitement about the independent film Lukisan Hati continues to build. Trailers from this film, a touching story about love and friendship as seen through the eyes of five teenagers and which features my music, are now popping up on YouTube and Facebook. The producers are also working toward a television premiere, as well as screenings in Singapore. For those of you who have been asking, I’m happy to let you know that there will be an English version of the film available, and I will share the details as I get them. Continue reading April 2010

Dear Friends,

February was an amazingly busy month with so many things happening that I thought it best to wait until March to touch base again.

The official published announcement will be coming out this week in the annual Winter issue of Pan Pipes dedicated to the American Composer, so it is with mixed emotions I announce here that I am standing down as Director of the Sigma Alpha Iota American Composers Bureau. After three years of working as Coordinator of Admissions under then-Director Dr Dorothy Gross, followed by seven years working as Director, ably supported by the wonderful Pan Pipes team, it is time for me to pass the torch. I am blessed and privileged to have been in personal contact with not only some of the most gifted composers in the United States, but more importantly, some of the best human beings – several of whom have become dear friends.

Although this was an incredibly difficult decision to make, I know that it was the right one for me at this time. My leaving would not be complete without expressing my most heartfelt thanks to two dear fraternity sisters, Marcia Williams, who has served as Editor of Pan Pipes for many years, and SAI National Executive Director Ruth Sieber Johnson. Both of these extraordinary women have stood by me offering support and encouragement through some of the darkest and most difficult years of my life. “Thank you” isn’t enough – but sometimes those are the only words we know to say. Continue reading March 2010