Happy New Year! I hope that 2012 is treating you kindly thus far; for my part, it’s certainly begun with a lot of musical excitement. This newsletter has taken a rather prolonged and somewhat unexpected hiatus, but I look forward to being back in touch with you throughout this new year.

Last [...]]]> Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope that 2012 is treating you kindly thus far; for my part, it’s certainly begun with a lot of musical excitement. This newsletter has taken a rather prolonged and somewhat unexpected hiatus, but I look forward to being back in touch with you throughout this new year.

Last October I had the privilege to be a guest on the radio show Peace Talks, hosted by Paul Ingles. The resulting effort, The Peace Message in Classical Music, aired on KUNM 89.9 FM Albuquerque on October 28, and was subsequently picked up by several other public radio stations in the United States. You can listen to the show here: prx.org/pieces/68447-the-peace-message-in-classical-music-peace-talks

The choir of Faith Bible Church (Alb, NM), under the direction of Irma Reeder, gave the premiere of the cantata God’s Perfect Love, December 18. This work featured narration and lyrics by long-time collaborator Claire Roth, and was written expressly for the FBC Choir. It was exciting to work with the singers in rehearsal last autumn, as well as to serve as pianist for the performance.

Last year the Albuquerque Civic Chorus (abqchorus.org) commissioned me to write a piece celebrating the centennial of New Mexico statehood. The resulting piece, Enchanted Land, also with lyrics by Claire Roth, was successfully completed in December, and I’ve already received some wonderful comments from choir members. The premiere is scheduled for mid-May, and I will publish dates and locations in advance.

Auditions and rehearsals for Linda Bairstow’s play, The Mystery of the Cold Wet Nose will soon be under way at the First Unitarian Church (Alb, NM). I was asked to write the songs and incidental music and completed them earlier this month. The play is an intergenerational production sponsored by First Unitarian’s Animal Advocates which addresses environmental issues. Performances will take place in April and the show is bound to be a lot of fun!

Last, but certainly not least, the promised piece for Belgian clarinet choir Claribel is finally nearing completion. It has been a remarkable journey, and I can only hope that the result will be well-received. There will be more news about it in next month’s newsletter, along with the possibility of a Canadian premiere of another work.

Recent performances include a re-broadcast of the KUNM Radio Theatre production Christmas Eve at the Mermaid on December 25, (a Shakespearean-themed comedy for which I served as musical arranger and director in 2010); a performance of The First Snowfall (SSA choir and piano) on December 10, by the Moriarity (NM) High School Choir; and a performance of my piano arrangement of Love Divine on November 15, by Wilma Gantz, for the music ministry at La Vida Llena Healthcare.

My lecture schedule will soon be in full swing again, and you can find all of my lectures and appearances listed on my website at janeellen.com, on the activities page. My blog will also be springing back to life at janeellen.net, and I hope you’ll stop by when you get chance.

See you next month!

Follow your heart,
Jane

This month’s newsletter will be brief, as I’ve been spending most of my time writing without much in the way of other news to report. The commission for Belgian clarinet choir Claribel is proceeding nicely, and I’m very excited about it. I’m also working on a short Christmas cantata for a [...]]]> Dear Friends,

This month’s newsletter will be brief, as I’ve been spending most of my time writing without much in the way of other news to report. The commission for Belgian clarinet choir Claribel is proceeding nicely, and I’m very excited about it. I’m also working on a short Christmas cantata for a local church, have started sketching the piece for Albuquerque Civic Chorus celebrating the 100th anniversary of New Mexico statehood, and am playing with ideas for the inter-generational musical The Mystery of the Cold Wet Nose.

You may remember I mentioned having seen both Spirit Family Reunion and singer-songwriters Eric Brace and Peter Cooper in Nashville last March and how impressed I was by these fine musicians. I’m thrilled to let my friends in the ‘burque area know that Eric Brace (redbeetrecords.com/eric-brace), and two singer-songwriter friends, Phil Lee and Tom Mason, will be making two local stops in August during their current tour.

Monday, August 8th, Eric and friends will be at The Range (505.867.1700) in Bernalillo at 8pm. The Range is the most popular restaurant in Bernalillo, so you’re guaranteed a great meal as well as amazing music! The following night, Tuesday, August 9th, there will be a special all-acoustic performance from the East Nashville Rambling Revue at Apple Mountain Music in Albuquerque (505.237.2048). This will be Eric’s first time in Albuquerque, so I hope you’ll come out and make these brilliant musicians feel welcome!

I’ve received some nice comments about my review of Tim Fatchen’s CD Dark Sparkles that was posted in my blog, and I want to let you know that I’ve also reviewed the new album by Victoria Woodworth, Bread and Flowers. I’ll be writing more about music as the year goes on, so be sure to stop by and let me know you were there. You can find my blog by visiting my website, janeellen.com or go directly via janeellenmusic.wordpress.com.

Thanks to the kindness of my friend Chris Dale, I’m finally getting some of my works uploaded to YouTube. You can find links to my YouTube channel, my Twitter feed, Facebook, and all my networks on the front page of this website. I’m always happy to hear from friends old and new!

See you next month!
Follow your heart,
Jane

It’s officially summer (in this hemisphere,) and I hope that you have many wonderful activities lined up for a refreshing and productive season. For those of you in deep mid-winter, you have both my sympathy and rather a lot of envy as my thermometer heads toward 100F.

I have two new [...]]]> Dear Friends,

It’s officially summer (in this hemisphere,) and I hope that you have many wonderful activities lined up for a refreshing and productive season. For those of you in deep mid-winter, you have both my sympathy and rather a lot of envy as my thermometer heads toward 100F.

I have two new music projects to announce, and I’m very excited about both of them. Firstly, Verallen Kleinhenz, director of the renowned Albuquerque Civic Chorus, has commissioned a piece celebrating the 100th anniversary of New Mexico Statehood which will be performed on tour throughout 2012. Secondly, I have been asked to write several songs for The Mystery of the Cold, Wet Nose, an inter-generational musical with book and lyrics by Linda Bairstow. This project of the Animal Advocates of the First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque and their supporters is scheduled to premiere in April 2012. As with most artists, it always seems to be feast or famine, and I’m blessed to be enjoying a feast of compositional work at the moment.

Many of you are familiar with my OASIS classes, but I wanted to let you know that I have two four-week series presentations beginning in July for the Osher Lifelong Learning Foundation. For the first series I’ll be giving a class on the music of Colonial America (UNM campus) and the second will be entitled Rock ‘n Roll Renaissance, exploring the work of a surprising number of rock and pop musicians who also write classical music (Bernalillo at Del Webb Alegria). Both classes still have openings, so I hope to see some of you there!

In addition, there’s still time to sign up for the July session of For the Love of Music at the New Mexico School of Music, Nob Hill Campus. This light-hearted introduction to music history and appreciation is designed to emphasise the enduring importance of music in the world and to help students acquire a deeper understanding of music in general. We’re going to have a lot of fun, and I’m really looking forward to the class! If you’re interested in joining us, please call the NMSM Office on 505.266.3474.

In other news: Bonnilyn Neyens wrote to tell me that she performed my arrangement of Finlandia on Memorial Day weekend at both the First Christian Church of Ft Madison, Iowa and St Martha’s Catholic Church of Wayland, Missouri . . . I was happy to receive a congratulatory note from Marquis celebrating 10 years of my biography being listed in various publications, including Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World . . . and last (but certainly not least!) I am thrilled to have received a copy of Australian composer Tim Fatchen’s new CD Dark Sparkles, which I will be reviewing on my blog. I intend to review one new album each month as I get my blog up and running again, so I hope that this will be the first of many.

See you next month!
Follow your heart,
Jane

Many people told me that April sped by them in a whirlwind of activity, and that’s pretty much what happened to me. I hit the ground running in mid-March after returning from Nashville and have only just this week been able to get my head above water for a few days. [...]]]> Dear Friends,

Many people told me that April sped by them in a whirlwind of activity, and that’s pretty much what happened to me. I hit the ground running in mid-March after returning from Nashville and have only just this week been able to get my head above water for a few days. Meanwhile, lots of exciting things are happening, so I’ll get right to the news!

It seems like the winter term only ended a couple of weeks ago (actually, it did!) but OASIS classes begin again next week, with Showtunes rehearsals starting the last Tuesday in May. Watch for me this summer not only at OASIS, but also at both Osher campuses: in Albuquerque at the University of New Mexico, and in Bernalillo at Del Webb Alegria.

In June and July I’m presenting a four-week class for adults entitled For the Love of Music at the New Mexico School of Music, Nob Hill Campus. This light-hearted introduction to music history and appreciation is designed to emphasise the enduring importance of music in the world and to help students acquire a deeper understanding of music in general. We’re going to have a lot of fun, and I’m really looking forward to the class! If you’re interested in joining us, please call the NMSM Office on 505.266.3474.

Three of my songs reached the Broadjam Top 10 Best Indie Song Chart for New Mexico this month, and two of them are still there: Raindance at number 5 and Garden of Memory at number 6. Speaking of Raindance, I was thrilled when Organized For Life (org4life.com) licensed it for use in a promotional video for their amazing service. You can see it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0zRTfFQ-UY.

Keyboardist Wilma Gantz, a long-time supporter of my work, played my arrangement of Be Still My Soul on April 19th for a communion service at La Vida Llena Healthcare, in Albuquerque, NM. Work continues on the commission for Claribel, the internationally renowned Belgian clarinet choir, as well as a duo piece for accordionist Dan Wright. Next month I’ll be able to announce a new choral commission, as well as taking a crack at solving the mystery behind the “cold, wet nose”. There are rumours of a possible Canadian premiere this year as well. I’d love to tell you more, but you’ll need to wait one more month!

Many of you on Facebook know that I exceeded my goal of 100 fans on my professional page! I’m now trying for 125, so if you’re using Facebook, I would love for you to “like” my page; it can be found at www.facebook.com/Composer.Jane.Ellen. Meanwhile I’ve just joined the family of All Media Artists (AMA); it’s a wonderful place for listeners to discover new music and for artists to get their music out into the world. My AMA link is: all-media-artists.com/Jane_Ellen/.

In April I began blogging again and am really enjoying it. I hadn’t realised how much I’d missed writing, and I’m looking forward to writing on a variety of topics. You can access the blog from a link on the front page of my website, or directly from the wordpress address: janeellenmusic.wordpress.com (no “www” required).

If, for any reason, you wish to stop receiving these newsletters, simply reply to any mailing with the word “unsubscribe” written in the subject line. Your wishes will be immediately respected. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, and you wish to join the monthly mailing list, send an email to jane.ellen.music@gmail.com with the word “subscribe” written in the subject line.

See you next month!
Follow your heart,
Jane

He also kindly provided an English translation, which is as follows:

‘Following My Heart’ is the fourth publication of piano solos the versatile pianist and composer [...]]]> My new CD has just received a 5/5 review from Alejandro Clavijo, of Reviews New Age (Spain). You can read the original review here (in Spanish): www.reviewsnewage.com/janeellen.html

He also kindly provided an English translation, which is as follows:

‘Following My Heart’ is the fourth publication of piano solos the versatile pianist and composer Jane Ellen, besides being the last work that closes a trilogy of albums that began in 2004 with the album ‘From My Heart’ and later, ‘Seasons of the Heart’. Written in the summer of 2009 (a very tough year on the personal for the artist), ‘Following My Heart’ is composed of fourteen tracks of multiple hues. Halfway between New Age and Jazz, Jane gives us a perfect background music to enjoy a moment of utter isolation, or in good company. Beautiful and peaceful pieces suitable for relaxation, meditation or the most romantic moments, some of them, adorned with beautiful instruments accompanying the piano for Jane.

Accompanied by percussion of Kenn Battat and bass of Sid Fendley, Jane brings to life “Raindance”, the most optimistic and cheerful piece of this album. With rhythm, the piano plays a fun melody, conveying positive energy and Life to the listener. Fantastic piece and one of my favourites!

“Keeper of my Heart” is the longest track on the album, almost five minutes and presents a loving and tender melody with a small degree of nostalgia. The arpeggios in the low area of the piano and the sad melody that draws the right hand, maintain an emotional and sweet conversation. Beautiful!

With nostalgia and melancholy, Jane plays “Vision of the Past.” With a gentle start, nostalgia becomes a painful sadness, a melody that flows slowly offering a disheartening tone to the piece. Tribute for those who are no longer among us.

Some little bells give way to “Garden of Memory”, again, a beautiful and captivating piece that makes nostalgic remembering beautiful moments lived. An amazing piece where the piano is accompanied by a wind instrument that emphasizes more so the feeling of longing. Simply wonderful and exciting. Another of my favourites!

“Deep Peace” is a perfect theme for times of quiet. Hypnotic, soft chord progressions are accompanied by furtive high notes, creating a pleasant environment, ideal for moments of reflection or rest.

A prayer to heaven is launched “High King of Heaven.” A warm and friendly composition that fills the listener of well-being is reproduced by the right hand, while the left accompanies graceful playing chords and progressions. A beautiful piece that puts a smile on the listener. I love it.

With “Colours of My Life” back the rythm. Thanks to the percussion of Ken and Sid Bass, The Jane’s piano returns exciting and waited touch smiling of the beginning. A energetic melody makes this piece is fascinating. Again, another of my favourites! Wow!

The most romantic theme of this work is entitled “Circle in Time”, where Dan Wright accordion joins in harmony with the gentle piano melody that draws Jane. Both give life to a piece with air Argentine italo, a music between from the magnificent tango and the passionate Italian music, all interspersed with images of Bella Italia. Amazing piece, suprising!. Another of my favourites!

“Early One Morning” is lively, where Jane’s piano playing a marvellous melody, rhythmic, accompanied by delicate percussion of Ken and his “hat hit” that follows the piano from start to finish, marking with the low notes of keyboard the tempo of the piece. Not being too fast, the piece is ideal as background music for an evening in good company. Another of my favourites!

“Hold Fast to Dreams” has the most moving melody throughout the album. With great excitement, Jane will give life to a piece that manages to captivate the listener. It’s amazing the feelings that surface when he heard this wonderful piece. Another of my favourites!

“Haven of Stone” draws the heart to an overwhelming sense of loneliness and a feeling of loss. A piece, which gives life the sad arpeggios of the left hand and a brought down melody that draws the right hand. Very depressed.

A touch on the high notes of the piano give way to “Autumn Skies,” a lighthearted piece, with an air of freedom that invites you to dream with a colorful place, bathed with a reddish sky. A beautiful melody that soothes the soul.

“Late at Night” is an extremely calm and relaxed, perfect for start a dream. With a course slow, the melody makes her way to silence, providing a unique sensitivity to the track, delicate, soft. Perfect for moments of relaxation or meditation. Another of my favourites!

A pleasant surprise awaits us in the last track of this work. “Follow Your Heart” is a song endowed with a startling beauty. Sweet and personal voice of Jane appears making perplex to the listener. An unexpected and stunning end for this amazing album. Wow!

‘Following My Heart’ is a work has a unique sensibility. An intimate musical background for unforgettable moments, perfect to enjoy in good company or just to indulge in a deep listening and to rest. It’s amazing! ‘Following My Heart’ is an album highly recommended and is available on Amazon, CDBaby, and iTunes.