Gifted musician’s career of high notes
By Wendy Shaw
A young Janet Hoare was 13 and attending St Thomas More’s School in Launceston when she started playing music for the Catholic church.
The instrument was a pedal-operated harmonium in St Thomas More’s Church.
It was the beginning of a long and varied music ministry that continues to this day in ‘lifting souls to God’.
Some 67 years on, Launceston Catholic Parish presented organist and musical director Janet with flowers and a gift, following her 80th birthday.
Launceston Parish Priest Fr Shammi Perera said Janet had “contributed in enormous ways over many, many years to the music ministry here at the Church of the Apostles”.
“We are truly grateful to God for giving us Janet because many have reached God through her music ministry,” Fr Shammi told parishioners after Mass on 30 August.
“I think that is what the music does – it lifts our souls to God, and that is what she does, week after week – such a beautiful commitment – and we are truly grateful.”
Janet, of Launceston, is a former Catholic school music teacher and a former nurse. She is a mother of five and grandmother of 19, with a great grandchild on the way.
Janet has played at various Catholic churches, has also filled in at Anglican and Presbyterian church services, and plays for secular choirs and music groups as well as church choirs. She joined the Church of the Apostles choir for the midnight Mass in December 1967
“Music is my life: the whole purpose of it is to lead the people in worship,” she said from the Apostles organ gallery after playing the closing hymn at Sunday morning Mass.
“I am blessed with a wonderful choir: I love my choir.
“This is where my heart is, in this parish. I love my parish and how blessed we are here … God is good.”
Janet doesn’t have a favourite hymn—just the ‘piece of the moment’—but she is passionate about English composer John Rutter and Christmas music. She is counting down the weeks until choir rehearsals start for the festive season.
Launceston parishioner and chorister Mary Sexton described Janet as a talented musician who generously shared her time and gifts with the Church and the wider community.
“She is a vibrant personality who can enthuse people,” Mary said. “She used to enthuse the school children to sing in multiple harmonies, always of a high standard, and she brings people along with her.
“She just makes anything on the organ sound absolutely amazing.
“She is a person who gives so much of her own time and talent.
“And she has the most outrageous shoes. When she plays the organ, we always comment on her shoes.”