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JANE HASKELL

 Almost every Sunday, she enters the sanctuary without fanfare.  She is usually pulling what looks like a small suit case.  While the congregants chat, laugh, renew acquaintances and maybe even gossip, she quietly takes her seat.  She adjusts the cushion on the bench.  She opens to a page of music, again without fanfare.  Her fingers seem to magically connect with the keys of the organ.  And, within minutes, just in case you’ve been sleeping, WAKE UP! No, you’re not in Heaven.  That is Jane Haskell, at the organ,

playing the Prelude

“The prelude is meant to be an integral part of our worship time as it gives us the opportunity to come into the presence of God in an intentional way, instead of rushing in at the last moment.  It is our intention that the prelude not function as background music for conversation, but rather that it serve as a time to focus our hearts and minds on Almighty God.” From Wilmore Free Methodist Web site

Jane’s life has always seemed to be a prelude, marching forward with Christ while music encircles her soul.  Some might say her early life was tumultuous.  Born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Jane’s original name was Ethel Laverne Wilson. Jane is not sure who her birth parents were.  Shortly after Jane’s birth, her mom died.  Jane has no memory of this and explains that it is all hearsay.  A new set of parents took her and renamed her Suzie Jane McKalip.  “But for some reason, maybe his non-ability to care for me, Keller (a county judge) took me away from him (McKalip).”  At the age of about 3, Judge Gordon Keller and his wife, Ruth, officially adopted her and her name became Jane Keller.  During his life, Judge Keller was a school teacher, a county judge and a lay minister.  Judge Keller had six brothers, two of whom were ministers.  Jane went with the brothers to the Christian Church, singing and playing the piano. Her adopted parents, the Kellers, also had a small grocery store.

Jane’s love for thriving with music appeared at an early age.  “I practiced music on an old upright in a cold room with a wood stove, playing through every piece of music I could get my hands on.  Remember the old tall sheet music!  (yes, I do)  After church, I would go home and play by ear the hymn of the day…even before I began lessons.”  

She was encouraged in her music by her father, the judge/minister.  He was also a big influence on her spiritual life.  What great sadness she must have felt, when, in sixth grade, her father died.  Music, music, music pushed her forward and by junior high she was accompanying the choir and singing solos.  At home, her adopted mother, Ruth, remarried.  In tracking her early life, Jane says, “It is all vague to me.  My adopted mother never wanted to talk and tell me the truth.  She would just cry for fear of losing me, I guess.”  Jane got tired of all the crying and left. 

ON TO COLLEGE WITH MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

“Arkansas State University in Jonesboro enjoys a reputation as an excellent institution of higher education serving citizens throughout Arkansas and surrounding states.” From the ASU web site

 And that’s where Jane landed for the next chapter in her life, majoring in music with voice and piano emphasis.  She accompanied the choir and the “Arkettes”.

After graduation she taught in Arkansas, Missouri and then to Rocky Ford, Colorado where she taught elementary vocal music.

AND THEN…. (drum roll, please) she  met her “Music Man”, Band Director, William (Bill) Vaughan.  They were married and had two daughters, Debra and Lisa.  But more sadness followed when Bill died suddenly of a heart attack. She has a touching memory of her little girls bringing breakfast in bed to her to try to comfort her.  “I am very proud of my daughters”.  Perhaps the sorrow explains her favorite passage of scripture, “Jesus wept.” John 11:35.  “As simple as that.  If you can’t cry, you’re not worth anything.”

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

Music continued to sustain her as opportunities in teaching and playing organ opened in Pueblo and Denver.  Her solace and inspiration, she states, has always been music, even singing in the car.  In addition, she was a rehearsal pianist with The Morrison Opera Company for five years.

The Morrison Opera Company was formed to provide a training ground for local talent. It had an emphasis on complete opera and musicals.  Formed in 1979, the opening was April 12, 1980.

“….Sylvia Cook was the piano accompanist with Jane Haskell joining at a later date. For a July concert, guest artist Beverly Christiansen-Fernald, soprano, Wheat Ridge, was invited to be the special guest artist.  Sadly, on January 8, 1984, a fire destroyed the Morrison Town Hall/Morrison Opera Company.” From “Historic Opera Companies of Colorado” web page.

More doors opened as she became and continues to be, for 30 years, the staff accompanist for Colorado ChristianUniversity.  A lifelong learner, Jane gleans from many directors and musicians.  And, perhaps you are like I was, saying to yourself,

“Jane Haskell?  I think I know her from somewhere.”

Well, could it be you know her from:

• Parker United Methodist Church?
• Several other churches in the Denver area?
• Arkansas or Missouri or Pueblo or Denver Schools?
• Colorado Children’s Chorale?
• Arvada Arts Center?
• Arvada High School?
• Sheridan High School?
• Vocal duet from William Tell Overture?
• Ceremony where she was presented The National Federation of Music Merit Award?
• Musicals all over the place including the PUMC musicals?
• Arkansas State University? And don’t forget the Arkettes!
• Any number of dance classes?
• Marian Academy?
• Accompanist for many, many, many soloists?

Now, you scratch your head and say, “Oh yes, that’s it….NORTH YEMEN, ARABIA!!!!!!!”

So, here goes that story, where you met her in Yemen, Arabia.  By now, you know that Jane has always been very accomplished and very attractive.  Jim Haskell was a friend from her high school days way back in Arkansas.  Jim played French Horn back then and Jane often accompanied him at concerts.  Jim’s dad was head of the music department at Arkansas State University. His work as a civil engineer demanded he travel a great deal but one time he was able to take Jane and the girls with him to Yemen, Arabia where they lived for a few years in a camp, located near Jim’s office.  She  and daughters, Deb  and Lisa enjoyed their time there. They would talk to the Yemeni gardeners and enjoyed shopping in the local villages and swimming in the Red Sea.  Of course, where Jane goes so goes her piano.  It arrived, by boat and truck after several months.  And there she was, playing her piano in her Arabian home.  She gave a recital for local, American and English work staff.  However,  Jim did not share Jane’s immense passion and comfort from music.  Music was and has always been my love.”  Then one day Jane said to Jim, “Do you know any reason why we should stay together?”  Jim quickly replied, “Nope” and then they both started laughing.  It was an amicable divorce and as always Jane surrounded herself with music.  “You got to let go of mistakes.”  

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

AND PARKER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 

Was it luck or the guidance of the Holy Spirit urging her to call the Denver United Methodist Headquarters where she discovered there was a need for an organist at Parker United Methodist Church? 

Since 1995, she has been an organist and accompanist at PUMC while continuing her position with Colorado Christian University.  “I am comfortable at PUMC and I have no desire to go anywhere else.  I find the people easy going.”  (whew…I feel a big sigh of relief).   She volunteers her time to sew La Puente bags, one of our PUMC missions.  Each year Jane sews 100 to 200 bags.   We then fill them with personal care supplies for the migrant workers and deliver them to La Puente in Alamosa, CO.

Have you heard Jane laugh?  It is a most joyful sound.  Jane loves play on words and playful people.  She sites Kurt Stroman, PUMC Fine Arts Director, as one of her favorite people, often making all of us choir types laugh.  “You can’t afford to take life too seriously.  I like to laugh at myself and it really does lighten the load.”

Anyone who enjoys singing knows the value of an excellent accompanist.  While finishing our breakfast at Great Beginnings,

Jane explained this to me.  “I know how to anticipate a singer’s breath and phrases.  It’s almost like mind reading.  You can’t just be glued to what’s on the page.  I can anticipate the singer’s short comings and strengthen their sound.”  I can testify to this.  Jane has accompanied me a few times and by the way she plays a note or a chord, I feel much more confident in presenting the music.  It is normal for singers to have the jitters but Jane can calm all of that and bring you back to the real meaning of your message.  “How many people do we know that just come to be blessed and don’t care if the notes are not perfect~just blessed.  If we concentrate on perfection, that’s when we lose the spiritual side of church.”  Wow!

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC on into the future

As a child of God, Jane’s biggest hope is that there will be more tolerance of each other.    And of course, “music, music, music” motivates her as she moves forward.  She might like to write and “I want go keep going until I can’t anymore.”  Yes,  she really does “go” a great deal.  In addition to Colorado Christian, and other musical events, at least two times per week she drives to and from her Wheat Ridge home to join us in Parker.  She says she does allow herself to relax at times and just stare at the tube.

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

So, this Sunday, as Jane plays the Prelude, focus on the Living Lord surrounding you and the little girl from Arkansas running through the Arkansas woods. There it was, a big oak tree with a swing. That’s all she needed.  Standing on the swing and pumping her body towards heaven she sang to the top of her lungs and “they could hear me clear down the highway.”  Little did she know that another little girl thousands of miles away, in Washington, D.C., did the same thing and they could hear me clear down the alley.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Psalm 150:1-6

Nora Palmer Fox  ~   with thanks to my husband, Denver Fox, for help with the internet and photos.

May 10, 2014

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