About Janet

Janet has travelled extensively in the UK and abroad as a performer on electronic and theatre pipe organs.  She combines a career as a performer with that of teacher, on both organ and keyboards, and a Senior Examiner for the London College of Music.  She also writes for various publications, and is the co-owner with her husband, Neil, of The Music People – a company selling musical goods via a website www.themusicpeople.co.uk and mail order on 0118 9887444.

She holds both the FLCM and LLCM diplomas.

Janet worked for the Yamaha organisation for 11 years as a demonstrator, presenting concerts, demonstrations and masterclasses on registration, technique and so on related to the electronic organ, and later as the Promotions Manager organising Festivals, events, and promoting the network of Yamaha Music Schools.

Freelance since 1992, Janet follows a very hectic timetable and is in great demand all over the country at Organ Societies and Festivals.  She is also known for her compering skills, and is a regular contributor to the Yamaha Interactive and Organ and Keyboard Cavalcade. She also demonstrates keyboards live on QVC television.  During the months of March/April/June/July and December Janet's concert availability is very limited due to her high level of committment to the London College of Music.  These months see Janet working almost non-stop in the UK and abroad examining music candidates of all levels and ages, on all musical instruments.

Janet’s instrument is the Yamaha EL900 which she carries wherever she goes.  She is also in great demand to play theatre organ concerts.  She has several commercial recordings available on CD – the most recent being ‘Harmony’ released on 22^nd December 2008. 'Harmony' is a 73 minute recording, played on her Yamaha EL900, and is available from www.themusicpeople.co.uk (see the website for track details) or from Janet direct at her concerts.

Janet's easy personality is always a hit at Organ Societies - she's guaranteed to make the audience smile!  Her programme is always suited to the age group of her audience (and the volume of her performance is never too much!)  She also makes sure her concert programme evolves over a period of a few months, so there will always be something new to hear.

Her current programme includes such things as: Selections from 'Musical Sketches with Morecambe and Wise', Glenn Miller Swing, Henry Mancini Film Songs, Leroy Anderson's 'Blue Tango' and 'The Buglers' Holiday',  Classical pieces such as Nimrod, up to date ballads such as The Christmas No 1 hit from The Military Wives - 'Wherever You Are',  novelty pieces such as Dizzy Fingers and Hotpoints, marches such as Blaze Away, theatre organ pieces such as Eleanora, showtunes such as 'Cabaret', 'All That Jazz', 'On My Own' and 'Wouldn't It Be Luverly' and so on.

Janet is available for both electronic and theatre organ concerts in the UK.  She is now taking bookings for 2013 and beyond. Phone on 0118 9883971 or email janetdowsett@hotmail.com for availability.

Janet has produced a most successful series of book for customers called 'Magic' books which are available priced £6.99 plus p&p from www.themusicpeople.co.uk or from her direct at one of her concerts or festival events.  Chord Magic is the definitive guide to reading and understanding chord symbols, and playing them correctly on a keyboard or organ.  Registration Magic talks about how to put sounds and rhythms together and make your playing as authentic as possible.  Fingering Magic is for all your right hand fingering issues.  Timing Magic looks at how to count and keep time in your playing.  Practice Magic deals with how to improve by understanding proper practice techniques.  (This is complemented by a DVD called 'Practice Makes Perfect', in the KeyPlay4U series of tuition DVDs.  Janet also has a DVD called 'Registrations - A Commonsense Guide' in this series.)  Twiddy-Bits Magic explores how to sound more professional by adding in those extra touches to your musical arrangements.  Intros & Endings Magic completes the series - how to create your own, and enjoy using 'famous' intros and endings.  Look out for the eighth book in the series, shortly to be available - Theory Magic will enhance your enjoyment of playing the keyboard or organ by understanding the music more thoroughly. 

 

Janet's Photo Gallery

Janet's Concert Diary