Shannon Janssen's Newsletter 

December 2007

Greetings Friends,

The season for giving is upon us again. We pause to remember the important things in life and the many things we’re thankful for.

I would like to take this time to thank you for your continued support of my music. Whether it be listening to my CDs or listening to me at Von Maur, the Marriott, or where ever I’m playing, thank you for your kindness, encouragement and support.

I have much to be thankful for…health, happiness, my family including my 3 healthy grandchildren, Justin, 7, Jade, 3 and Josie, 3 months. My parents are healthy and my mother still continues to be cancer free…life is good.

I continue to work on new music in my spare time, along with a new greeting card venture I’ve discovered. I’ve always tried to be a thoughtful, card sending person, but I didn’t always follow through with my good intentions, I’d get busy or forget. With this wonderful program, it doesn’t let me forget and I can now be the card sender I’ve always wanted to be. It’s so easy and fun! You can learn more by visiting www.sendoutcards.com/shannonjanssen.

Remember I’m at Lindale Von Maur 3 days a week, you can check my calendar at www.shannonjanssen.com for those days. I play at the Marriott every Thursday evening from 6-10. On Friday December 7 & 21, from 6-10, I’ll be playing at the Marriott with Roy Stover, an excellent saxophonist and flutist. On December 22^nd, from 12-4, pianist Mike Phelan and I will be playing 2 piano duets at Von Maur. I hope to see you at some of these events!!

Remember, your friendship is a glowing ember. Through the year; and each December!

Wishing you a beautiful Christmas
Wrapped in Warmth
Surrounded by Music
Touched with Wonder
And filled with Love!

Merry Christmas!

June 2007

Dear Friends,

As most of you know, Westdale Von Maur closed January 31^st. It came as a shock to everyone, not even the managers knew. The company announced it and one week later, it closed. I was transferred to Lindale Von Maur on the east side of Cedar Rapids and I’m currently playing there three days a week. My schedule isn’t consistent like it was at Westdale, but it seems I’m mostly there Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, unless I’m scheduled for a weekend day. You can check my website calendar or call the Lindale store (319-395-9770) if you’d like to visit me there.

The renovation of the Marriott is now complete. After several months off, I began playing there again last week. What a wonderful change! The atmosphere of the new restaurant, “The Cedar Grille” is something that might be experienced in New York City, rather than Iowa. It’s decorated in rich shades of warm colors with unusual “S” shaped booths and tables in beautiful wood tones. The restaurant and lounge are one and there is plenty of cozy seating around the piano which is now located in the center of the atrium on a beautiful round area rug. Dancing is an option now with the wood flooring so close to the piano. Just off to my left is a gorgeous two story waterfall sparkling in the evening light. The surroundings have a comfortable elegance with a relaxed feel and I think I’m going to love playing there! In a couple weeks, the menu for the Cedar Grille will be available. I am now playing there every Thursday evening, from 6-10. (Last year it was Wednesdays) You must come out and give it a try and for those of you that come out frequently, I can’t wait to see you again!

Everyone in my family is doing well……great news, my daughter Hollie is expecting again! It’s a girl, due to arrive in August. We’re all so excited!

I hope you have a wonderful summer and hope to see you sometime very soon!

Sincerely,

Shannon Janssen

December 2006

Greetings Friends,

It’s been nearly a year since my last newsletter, it’s been a very busy year and I’ll reflect on it here.

Thanks to everyone who weathered the snow storm to attend last year’s Christmas Concert! Most of that afternoon, I cried watching the inches of snow get deeper and deeper, not knowing if I should cancel or keep on. Even though many couldn’t make it, we still had a great turn out even with the blizzard. Some drove miles to attend, one family drove all the way from Menomonee, Wisconsin to be there! It was a good concert with many warm comments. Please check my website for photos.

I performed another multi-media concert for the Sisters of Mercy Convent later in December of last year. It went very well, but right before the concert, it began to snow. The concert of January 2004 there was a snow storm as well. In March, I performed a concert for the Maquoketa Arts Committee. I was worried it would snow that day as well, but the day turned out beautiful and the concert was a success. Many of you have asked if there will be a Christmas Concert this year. Well…maybe in 2007.

In January, I began playing about 3 days a week for a new restaurant called Doozey’s. I juggled playing for Von Maur, the Marriott and Doozey’s with little time for anything else. After about 5 months, I decided Doozey’s just wasn’t for me. Within a couple weeks of quitting, Doozey’s closed. In March I started playing at the Elmcrest Country Club once a month for their formal dining. It’s a beautiful place with very nice people.

In the summer I began working on my gardens…I had been away from it for a long time and they needed a lot of attention. So, my husband and I began ripping out old gardens and adding new. Moving, dividing and sharing plants, adding arbors, trellises patios and pathways….what fun! My, how I’ve missed that! Much of my musical inspiration has come from the time I have spent gardening and I’m anxious for the arrival of spring so I can see the beauty my gardens will bring.

Once fall arrived we began renovating my upstairs studio. I actually have two piano rooms, the main floor parlor, (where I used to teach) is the home of my grand and studio pianos and upstairs...(my daughter’s old bedroom) is my composing studio where I have my digital piano connected to my computer. This bedroom hadn’t been touched in years… I moved everything in when Hollie moved out. The renovation is now complete with new walls, ceiling and floor, everything done in black and white. It may sound boring, but it’s actually very striking. The only color will be the music that I write. I’m hoping for a 4^th CD next year! (Many have asked to see photos of my new studio. I’m hoping to have some posted on my website soon.)

Most of you know I play every Wednesday night at the Marriott on Collins Road from 6-10. The big news is that the Marriott is renovating the atrium next year. Since the Marriott bought the Collins Plaza Hotel a couple years ago, they have renovated the front desk area, the guest rooms and I believe the pool area as well. Beginning in January or February, they will start in the atrium. The restaurant and lounge will be moved to The Cedar Rapids Room, a small area, too small for the piano. So, I will be taking a break from my regular Wednesday evening for about 3 months. The good news is when the renovations are complete; we will have a brand new classy place with exceptional food. But for me….the best news is we will get a brand new Grand Piano! I’m so excited about this! The old piano just isn’t what it used to be. You can check my website for when I’ll be back playing there again, or you can call the Marriott to find out their progress. Also, the restaurant and lounge will have a new name, it’s going to be wonderful, so be sure to check it out when it’s completed. By the way, I will be playing at the Marriott on New Year’s Eve from 7-12. If you haven’t made plans yet for that evening, I’d love to play your requests!

Another event to plan to attend is the annual Two Piano Duets at the Von Maur’s with Mike Phelan and I. We will be performing Saturday, December 16^th at Westdale Von Maur and Sunday, December 17^th at Lindale Von Maur.

Everyone in my family is well. My Mom continues to be cancer free and my Dad is doing great after his knee replacement surgery last year. My husband, daughter and son-in-law are well and my grandchildren, Justin-6 and Jade-2 are healthy and growing like weeds. God has blessed my family in 2006.

Thanks for all the support you give me on my musical journey; I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,
Shannon Janssen

October 2005

Dear Friends,

My new CD, “The Keys of Christmas”, is finally finished! It is now at the manufacturer and should be available in about 1-2 weeks. There are fifteen songs on ten tracks, four of them are medleys. These songs are my own arrangements of traditional Christmas Carols, with of few of my new own original pieces. After my concert in January, there were many that asked if the song that I wrote and performed called “Silent Snow” was available on any of my CDs. Those of you that inquired about this will be happy to know that “Silent Snow” is on my new CD and that it is one of my favorites.

My producer did his usual wonderful job on the orchestration, but with this CD it’s different. Its extra special….so Christmassy, with strings, harp, various bells and sounds that are unmistakably Christmas! When I listen, I want dig out my Christmas decorations and put up my tree!  It’s only October, but I have decided I’m decorating early this year....sometime before Thanksgiving…. hmmm, we’ll see! 

I’m having a Christmas Concert at the Scottish Rite Temple on December 3^rd. (See enclosed flyer) As with my concert last January, Mark Pence, the man responsible for the orchestration on all my CD’s will be accompanying me. Again, I will have a heartwarming slide show for all the songs I perform, telling the Christmas story and showing scenes of special Christmas times. With the music and the images…it’s going to be fantastic! Seating is limited, so get your tickets early; they will be available in about two weeks.

“The Keys of Christmas” will be available soon at Malone Music, West Music, Barnes and Noble, Something Special, Clingman’s (Vinton), Fern Hill (Amana), the Security Flame and other gift stores locally. You also can purchase them on my website and of course I’ll have all my CDs available at my upcoming concert. There will be free giveaways of “The Keys of Christmas” and concert tickets on radio stations KMRY and KCCK. I will be having a CD release and performance at Barnes and Noble on the evening of December 10th. This performance will be broadcast on KCCK. I’m not sure of the time yet, but you can check my website or call the store for details.

I want to thank all of you who have continued to support me on my musical journey. There would be no Christmas CD or concert if not for the encouragement you have given me. I hope to see you all on December 3^rd!

Sincerely,
Shannon Janssen

June 2005

Dear Friends,

I am so late in sending my newsletter out and many of you have been asking about it. Maybe naming it “The Half Note” isn’t a bad idea, but for now, I’ll keep it the way it is with the hope that I’ll be more diligent in sending it out.

I want to thank everyone who attended my concert in January. Even though the weather wasn’t the best, we had good attendance and many wonderful comments. The slide show with the music was a hit! People laughed and cried. The projected images were bigger than life, which enhanced the story of each song. Kevin Alexander from KMRY radio was a huge help, keeping everything on track, operating the projector and slide show and working with the sound. In fact, the concert would never have happened if it wasn’t for his encouragement. Thank you for all your cards and letters. Many of the letters are posted on my website along with concert photos. You can check it out at www.shannonjanssen.com .

I continue to work on my Christmas CD after setting it aside for several months during the busy Christmas season. It’s coming along beautifully and it looks like it’s going to be finished this year, God willing. This CD will be my own arrangements of traditional Christmas Carols and a couple of my original Christmas songs. The songs are written, most have been recorded and several are completely finished. The labor that remains, is working with my producer on orchestration and art work, then off to the manufacturer. I’m figuring the remaining work will take the rest of the summer into the early fall. Phew, I’ll be so happy when this is finished, what a job this has been!  

My plan is to hold a Christmas concert in November with this CD available at that time. Again, I will perform while my Christmas slide show (Power Point) is projected on the large screen behind me. As it was before, my concert will be held at the Scottish Rite Temple. It’s the perfect size, the stage is great and the acoustics are wonderful. I’ll have more information about this concert and my new CD in the next newsletter.

I entered a couple songs in the Great American Song Contest again and “Home Again” and “Promise Me” won Honor Awards. I was pretty excited about that.

Everyone in my family is doing well. My mom continues to be cancer free, my dad’s knee replacements are doing great and my grandkids are growing like weeds. Jade will be walking soon and Justin will start Kindergarten this fall. And yes, I’m writing a song for Jade! Thanks to everyone who prays for my family and I.

Please check my website regularly for other upcoming events. For those who receive this letter by snail mail, I’ve enclosed my schedule for the next few months. For those that receive this by email, please check my site for my calendar. Be sure to stop and say hello when you come by the piano!

Sincerely,
Shannon Janssen

December 2004

Dear Friends Old and New,

I hope you’re enjoying this special time of year! Where ever I’m playing the piano, I meet people of all ages, from all walks of life. I have noticed during the Christmas season, people really are different. There’s extra warmth in the faces that pass by and people are friendlier. There are more smiles, more nice comments, larger tips and people tend to stop and visit with me more than usual. Whether it’s the Christmas music I’m playing or the Christmas spirit, it makes the time I spend at the piano even more enjoyable. I love my job!

The other day as I was playing the piano, a little girl began dancing like a ballerina in the large open area near the piano. She was in a red velvet Christmas dress with white tights and black patent leather shoes. I assumed she had just had her pictures taken. She looked so sweet with her rosy cheeks and dark hair flying as she twirled with the music. Her mother was nearby, smiling as she danced. What a sight to see!

Last week, a group of 20-25 children walked up to me at the piano. It was a preschool class of 3-4 year olds joined with their teachers. They asked if I would play Jingle Bells as they sang to me. What fun! They knew all the lyrics and sang them…almost perfectly! Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer was next and they did hand gestures as they sang to me. So cute! My playing schedule is exhausting this time of year, but after each engagement I play, I come home with special moments to remember.

The concert at the Upper Iowa University went very well. I knew the majority of the audience would be 18-24 year olds and I wondered if my music would keep their attention since many young adults prefer rock music. So, I decided to use photos to help tell the stories of my music. Using images of people, places and things, I created a slide show (a computer power point presentation) that was projected on a large screen behind us as we played. It was a success! The audience was captivated with the music and images. Kevin Alexander from KMRY radio went with us and ran the slide show. He told me I just HAD to do this concert in Cedar Rapids. Because of his encouragement, I have been planning and preparing since then to do the concert locally. (See enclosed flyer) I hope you can attend. There’s a possibility that this concert will be video taped for future uses and I would love to have you be an audience participant if you live locally. Also, free tickets will be given away on KMRY and KCCK radio stations very soon. Seating is limited, so get your tickets early.

I am blessed to have wonderful friends who support and encourage me. 2004 has brought many new friends and I’m so thankful for each one of you. I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year!

Sincerely,
Shannon Janssen

October 2004

Dear Friends,

Again, I’m late sending this newsletter out!  Maybe I should rename it “Half Note”!

I’ll start off by inviting everyone to my upcoming concert at the Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Tuesday, November 9^th at 7:00 pm. This is a free concert. I’ll be performing with my musical partner, producer and fellow musician, Mark Pence. He will be accompanying me on his keyboard with live orchestration, doing his best to play the parts on my CDs. It should be very interesting, I hope you can come! (See enclosed invitation.)

Unfortunately, the Christmas CD I’ve been working on this past year is not finished. I’ve learned not to set deadlines on creativity and to always expect the unexpected. My plans are now to have the CD ready for the shelves the next Christmas season.

I became a “Nana” again on September 14^th. Jade Elizabeth was 7lbs, 10 oz. and was 20 in. long.  My daughter Hollie is doing well after having a C-section and Son-in-law Scott and big brother Justin couldn’t be happier! I’m having loads of fun buying pretty things in pink!

The pain I’ve been having in my arm due to tennis elbow (or piano player elbow) is healing, but is still not at 100%. The cortisone shot I received in the spring has long worn off and I continue to wear an arm brace while I play piano.

Thanks to everyone who voted for me the Kweevak’s Music Portal CD of the Year Awards. The results came in and Piano Paintings placed 13^th! Last year, Heart Journey placed 18^th. Thanks for all your support!

The Music Pad I spoke of in my last newsletter has replaced nearly all of my printed music. I’m using it all the time now and I LOVE it! No more lugging around suitcases full of music, no more lost or torn pages, no more searching for requests in stacks of music books. Once all my music is scanned, I won’t be caught off guard because the one song I didn’t bring is the one that someone requests!

I lost Kaleb as my scanner when he graduated from Kirkwood in May. I now have Cory McCullough scanning music for me. He’s a young ambitious, computer savvy saxophonist who has been doing a wonderful job. He approached me at the piano one day, intrigued by the Music Pad. As I showed him all the features, I mentioned I was looking for someone to hire as a scanner. He had all the qualities I was looking for and began working for me nearly right away. He’s now scanning Christmas music for the upcoming season.

It was fun performing for Dan Coghlan’s garden parties this summer. Thanks to everyone who came, it was wonderful having such beautiful surroundings! Remember to visit “Gig Photos” on my website and click on the event you attended.

I’m getting ready for a busy Christmas season again. Some of the special dates open to the public are noted below:

November 9^th – Concert – 7:00 Upper Iowa University, Fayette
November 17^th – Customer Appreciation at Kay’s Jewelry 5-9 Westdale Mall
December 18^th – Two Piano Duets with Mike Phelan 1-4 Westdale Mall 
December 19^th – Two Piano Duets with Mike Phelan 1-4 Lindale Mall
New Year’s Eve – At the Marriott with Saxophonist Bill Davis

Be sure to stop and say hello when you come by the piano!

Please check my website regularly for other upcoming events as more engagements are added. For those who receive this letter by snail mail, I’ve enclosed my schedule for the next few months. For those that receive this by email, please check my site for my calendar.

Sincerely,
Shannon Janssen

April 2004

Dear Friends,

It’s spring and I’m optimistic in what 2004 will bring! The events of last year are just a memory now and with determination I will keep plugging along promoting my music whenever and wherever I can. Already 2004 have brought some excitement which I’ll be sharing in this newsletter.

Like last year, the Christmas season was very busy for me. It began before Thanksgiving and didn’t slow down until late January. With all the extra gigs plus my regular playing schedule, it leaves me very little time to write. The writer’s block is gone now and I find myself at my home pianos with almost every spare moment I have. I will record again and at the request of so many of you, a Christmas album is my next project. The songs on this album will be my own arrangements of traditional Christmas Carols and some medleys with my own touches. I may write one or two of my own as well. It’s coming along slowly but surely and I’m getting more and more excited about it. I can’t rush myself or force creativity and I can only work on this in my spare time. I keep some Christmassy things near my piano to put me in the Christmas spirit while writing and arranging. My hope is for the album to be released late this year.

The New Year started off with “Piano Paintings” receiving a review in a national magazine, “Performing Songwriter”.  I was very excited when they contacted me in November asking questions about my music and me. Along with the exposure, they gave me a great review in the Jan/Feb 2004 issue. I’ve received quite a few good reviews, but this is the first from a national magazine. (All reviews can be read on my website.)

I entered a couple of songs in the Great American Songwriting Contest and recently found out that I won second place in the Instrumental Category with an Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting Award. How exciting! The winning song was “The Lighthouse Window” from my “Piano Paintings” album. Last year, I entered “Approaching Storm”, it won an Honor Award.

I also recently learned that “Piano Paintings” has been nominated for the “CD of the Year” with Kweevaks Music Portal. Voting takes place April 1^st through May 1^st and you can vote for me at http://www.pocoworld.com/vote2004new.php . Just look for my name and album, click the dot, enter your email and hit submit. It’s that easy, so PLEASE VOTE FOR ME! Last year, “Heart Journey” was nominated and placed 18^th; some of you may remember voting for me last year.

Thanks to everyone who came to the New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day events. It was fun playing with Saxophonist Bill Davis and great to see you all there. I now have a Gig Photo page on my website for special events like these. Check it out if you haven’t already done so.

Many have been asking how the scanning is coming along for my Music Pad. Due to lack of time, I decided to hire someone to help me. Kaleb Cargin, a young man attending Kirkwood College, was just the person I was looking for. He knows a little about music and a lot about computers and found the ideal way to scan for the best resolution. Kaleb will be graduating in May and will pursue a job for his career, so I’ll probably be losing him soon. But because of all his help, I’ll be using the Music Pad sooner.

There is an event coming up that is noteworthy. I will be doing a concert at the Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa on November 9^th. As long as everything goes as planned, I will be performing songs from my Christmas album along with my other albums with my producer Mark Pence. Please check my website for other upcoming events. For those who receive this letter by snail mail, I’ve enclosed my schedule for the next few months. For those that receive this by email, please check my site for my calendar.

I feel very blessed, everyone in my family is well, my mom continues in good health and I have many friends. Thanks to everyone who keeps my family and I in their prayers. Also, thanks to all of you who continue to encourage and support me. I can’t describe how much it means to me. What you don’t know is how times I have wanted to give up on this music business; it’s such a difficult business to be in, the rejection and disappointments are hard to take. Then I think about not having regrets and not letting fear stand in my way. It’s people like you who encourage me, that helps me to keep on trying, writing, recording, performing, entering contests, making calls and knocking on doors. Thank you, thank you for all your support.

Sincerely,
Shannon Janssen

November 2003

Greetings!

Many of you have been asking why they didn’t receive the last Quarter Note. As I’ve told those that have asked, it’s because I didn’t write it. My apologies for the delay in writing this newsletter, it’s more like a half note rather than a quarter note! I have been very distracted lately and I’ve not been focused on my musical goals since my last newsletter. The old saying “when it rains, it pours” has sure been taking place in my life lately. I really believe that we choose our attitudes and reactions to whatever life throws us. After a short time of being down, I decided enough of that and chose a better attitude.

Things started going crazy toward the end of June, then with a car accident on July 3^rd. I’ve never been in a car accident before, with the exception of getting rear ended twice, neither of those my fault. But this accident in July was my fault and it was pretty devastating to me. I always thought I was a pretty good driver; I was a school bus driver for 5 years with a perfect driving record. Anyway, I was making a left turn and did not see the car coming until it was too late. It was a bad intersection where it’s difficult to see and even though I’ve taken that way hundreds of times before on my way to play at Von Maur, this time I was hit. Thank goodness no one was hurt. My new car had $5,000 worth of damage and the car that hit me was totaled. I must say that the lady driving the other car was so kind and sweet. She knew how bad I felt and even gave me a hug. One funny thing…this lady, the three witnesses and the police officer all said, “Aren’t you the piano player at Von Maur?” Of all times to be recognized, this is one time I wanted to crawl into a hole! After the accident one by one, more events took place in a matter of days.

As I’ve told many of you that visit me at the piano, I’ve ordered this cutting edge device with brand new technology that will be a real benefit to me, called the “Music Pad Pro”. It was on back order since March but finally came to me a couple days after the car accident. For those of you that don’t know what it is, let me describe it.

It’s a device similar to a laptop computer, about the size of a music book. I’m hoping it will eventually take the place of all the music I lug around with me. This is done by scanning my music into my computer, and then through a network between the two, I download the scanned music into the Music Pad. This pad is lit just like a computer screen and will display the music one page at a time. The pages turn either by a foot pedal or by a touch of the screen. The music I scan will be stored in the Music Pad or memory chips and with one or two touches of the screen, I’ll be able to find any piece and it will be displayed instantly. Scanning the music will be the hardest part because it takes so long, page by page, song after song. I have hundreds and hundreds of songs. It will take months to achieve this, but will be worth all the effort once it’s done. It will be wonderful to walk to the piano at any gig carrying only the Music Pad, instead of lugging all the back breaking volumes of music I bring now.

So…I’m all set up with a rental car after my accident and then my Music Pad comes a couple days later. But before I even have a chance to play around with it, my computer crashes and was only the beginning of numerous crashes over the next two months. In fact, my computer crashed at least 10 times. Within days I’m then called for Federal Jury Duty. The month of July was spent taking my PC back and forth to my “computer doctor”, making preparations for Jury Duty (which was postponed 3 times, then cancelled due to settling out of court), plus all my playing engagements all with this rental car. I was called 2 more times for Jury Duty after that, (I was to serve for 6 months) once in September which was postponed a couple times and then settled out of court and then again in October.

By the end of July, I was so stressed; I decided to take two weeks off from playing at Von Maur.  I couldn’t change or update my schedule on my website due to all the computer problems. I apologize if you came to hear me during that time.

The work to restore my car took 5 weeks and when I finally got it back, I was amazed. I couldn’t tell it had been hit. It felt so good to get my car back, now to get my computer problems resolved. I finally decided in September to get a new computer even though my other one was not that old.  Most everything I do musically is with my computer, along with many programs I use for other things. I have felt as if my hands were tied during this time, I’m months behind, but now I have a beast of a computer that is working wonderfully! Things were definitely looking up.

As I stated before, I was called again for Jury Duty in October. This time it was postponed just once and then I was informed I had to appear for Jury selection. Yes, you guessed it, I was chosen….just my luck! For a week and a half, I put my life on hold and did my duty. I was dreading it, but once I got involved, it turned out to be very interesting and didn’t mind doing it.

This quarter note is meant to update you on what is happening with my music…other than playing a lot of gigs, I haven’t been doing much song writing with my life turned upside down the way it has lately. People are always asking me when my next CD is coming out…I just have to say I don’t know. I hope by sharing what has been going on in my life you can understand why I have not begun recording my next CD.

I do want to let everyone know that due to unpleasant circumstances, the union of the previously written lyrics to my song “Promise Me” has come to a complete halt. My hope is that new lyrics will be written and in time and re-recorded. With all the not so nice things that happen in life, we can always find something good that came out of it if we look for it; you know “look for the silver lining”. Even though there have been some inconveniences in my life lately, it’s made me appreciate even more the important things like health, family, friends and you.

Many of you already know that I’ve been occasionally playing with saxophonist Bill Davis. We’ve played at the Bistro on First, Vinton Steakhouse, Cedar Rapids Country Club, Touch of Class and the Collins Plaza Hotel for special events. The piano and saxophone is a beautiful combination, so if you get a chance, come hear us play! I’ll keep you updated via email at the next public event.

One thing to note that’s coming up that you won’t want to miss, two piano duets with pianist Mike Phelan and myself. We will be performing Christmas music on December 20^th from 11-2 at the Westdale Mall Von Maur and on December 21^st from 1-4 at the Lindale Mall Von Maur. Mike is not only an awesome pianist, but quite an entertainer as well!  Join us, you’ll be glad you did because we’ll have you Rockin’ Around the Christmas tree! 

For those of you that receive this letter by snail mail, I’m enclosing my schedule for the next couple months. For those of you that receive this letter by email, please check the calendar page on my website. My playing schedule will most likely have more events added, as I’m approaching my busiest time of year. The last holiday season was the busiest I’ve ever been at playing piano and I’m expecting this year will be even busier. As more playing events are scheduled I will update my calendar on my website.  Those that are “online” can check my site at anytime for changes or updates, www.shannonjanssen.com or www.heartjourney.net . For any upcoming special events I’ll try to contact everyone through email or postcards.

My mother continues to do well in her recovery. Thanks for all your prayers!

I have spent all this time telling you what has been happening in my life. Next time you’re at the piano, I want to hear about what’s been happening with you!

Thank you for all the support you give me. I hope the upcoming holidays are happy and full of love!

Sincerely,
Shannon Janssen

I want to thank everyone who voted for me on Kweevak’s Music Portal. I recently learned the outcome of the votes. I did not win, but did place in the top 25 of the “Viewers Choice Awards”, eighteenth to be exact. From the top 25, they will choose the “CD of the Year” award. This will take place sometime in June. For those of you who receive this newsletter by snail mail, my first CD “Heart Journey” was nominated for the CD of the Year Award on an online music site. Voting could only take place online, so I only informed the folks that receive this letter via email. You can visit the site by clicking www.kweevak.com/rd_cdawards.htm

I am going to be giving a “Music in the Gardens” concert at the Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Marshall Park, 3800 Arboretum Drive in Dubuque, on Sunday, June 22^nd at 2:00. I am enclosing my playing schedule for the next few months. Those that receive this through email can easily go to my site to check my calendar.  Dates could change if I am ill and more dates could be added.  Check the calendar page on my site, www.shannonjanssen.com for updates and news. Also, if you now have email, please let me know your address. There is no expense with email!