Don Janse
Encyclopedia
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Old Lyme is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The Main Street of the town is a historic district. The town has long been a popular summer resort and artists' colony...
. He was best known for his work at the United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
, where he directed The Idlers
The Idlers
The Idlers of the United States Coast Guard Academy are an all-male collegiate a cappella ensemble specializing in the performance of sea shanties and patriotic music.-Overview:...
from 1957 until his retirement in 1987. Over the years he entertained Presidents and Kings.
In later years he directed the Don Janse Chorale and wrote many original pieces for choir. His
groups were recorded on the Pickwick and Design labels. The Don Janse Chorale also performed numerous tracks on the Singer (Sewing Machine) Company's first consumer record albumn - "Favorite Christmas Songs from Singer" (September 21, 1964).
I have a Christmas Album from The Singer Sewing Machine Company titled "A SINGER Christmas for the family" I received this album as a gift when it was released. The album is done by The Mastertone Orchestra (featuring The Don Janse Chorale) On the back of the album jacket is written that the album was Custom Produced for the Consumer Products Division of The SINGER Company and a Copyright year of 1963 (no month or day is mentioned) The Singer Company, New York, NY.
There are etchings on this album at the end of the tracks. on Side A: SINGER XMAS-A MONO # 3 9-63. On Side B the etchings are: SINGER XMAS - B MONO # 3 9-63
Don Janse died August 8, 1999. His wife Helen (Haskins) Janse (1921–2004), a long-time contributor and regular accompanist to Don's work, died April 28, 2004.