Diane Orgill Chatwin

June 17 at 11:16am

Sharon, I spent a good half an hour writing all of my memories of Mr. Javens and when I was about to send it to you, somehow I lost the whole thing. Aargh! So here we go again. . . .

What can I say about Mr. Javens? Let me start by being honest. My crush on him started my first day of summer band as a 9-year-old, and it continued until. . . well, actually, it never really ended. Through all the years I knew Mr. Javens, I remember wondering how our little town got so lucky to have him there. And that wasn't just because the girls and their mothers were swooning (my aunt called him Mr. Hunkarooni). It was because of the talent, knowledge, refinement, and class he brought to our school.

I have many fond memories of band trips, parades, and games. But most of my memories of Mr. Javens come from the years of daily band classes. He is an oft-quoted fellow in my home. "That is our modus operandi" is something I can be heard saying, not to mention "pathetic," "mellifluous," and "cacophonous." He taught that anything worth doing is worth doing well.

I loved that Mr. Javens didn't take any crap or let anything slide, but he didn't lose his cool either. He could be friendly and fun or serious and stern, but he was always classy and in control.

One day I was trying to explain the 1st clarinet part to one of my fellow band students, but I made the mistake of doing it while Mr. Javens was talking. I received a stern reprimand in front of the whole band that nearly brought me to tears. After class, Mr. Javens called me into his office and apologized. He told me that if he could do it over, he wouldn't react that way, because I am sensitive and he recognizes that. He told me he appreciates and enjoys having me in band. It meant so much to me that he cared enough to do that. As I was leaving, he gently reminded me that in the future, I should remember not to talk while he is talking. :)

One other thing I remember is that Mr. Javens never did his teacher lunch duty. He paid Mrs. C to do it for him. Too funny!

Besides nine years of band, I took U.S. History and Psychology from Mr. Javens. He sparked my life-long fascination with the Civil War by showing us the Ken Burns documentary. I also remember a psychology experiment he concocted one day. He purposely came to class late and arranged for Mr. Green and Bruce Coon to have a big, loud argument in the hall. When Mr. Javens finally got to class, he was so cool and nonchalant, we never suspected a thing. Only after we were inside the classroom did we find out it was a lesson in psychology. I've always remembered that interesting little experience and other things I learned in that class. I ended up getting a psychology minor.

One of the greatest compliments of my life came in a letter of recommendation Mr. Javens wrote for my college scholarship application. He wrote, "I think very highly of Diane, and I find it a decided pleasure to afford her my highest recommendation." It just doesn't get much better than that -- a perfectly crafted compliment from one of my favorite, most admired, most respected teachers.

I became a better musician and better student because of my association with Mr. Javens. Thanks, Dr. J! Happy birthday! --Diane Orgill Chatwin

Richard and Mary Thornton

The Thornton family will always be in debt to Mr. Jim Javens for the years he spent as a band director of the Grantsville, Utah, High School band. We had several children develop their skills on the trumpet, trombone, baritone, clarinet and other instruments, and a couple of our children went to State competitions because of his good teaching, times that will live in their memories. As their mother, I can see in my mind Mr. Javens marching along Grantsville's main street alongside the band at every parade. He was quiet, supportive and appreciative of those young people who tried their very best to bring joy to the citizens of their home town.

Thank you, Mr. Javens, for enriching our lives and the lives of countless others through your devotion to teaching the arts. You are greatly appreciated and remembered.

My Jim Javens Adventures

By: Christopher Fields Class of 1993 Grantsville/Tooele High School

So I am 11 years old, just started the 6th grade and the call comes over the intercom. "Attention students!!!!!! There will be a program after school in the band room with Hayes Music Center".
Mr Javens asked me what I wanted to play, I told him I wanted to play the piano, he laughed and said I would have a hard time pushing a piano down the street. And then I told him I wanted to play the Trumpet, I really meant the Trombone, (I thought it was called the Trumpet, I swear to God! that lady called it a trumpet).

I was told that my instrument would come in a week, I was so excited. Fast Forward, I am sitting in class, Andrew & Peter Butcher gave me a few quick lessons on how to get a sound out of the Trumpet, Yes I said a trumpet, I was so disappointed. I made some sweet sounding music right off the bat, lol, NOT! Poor Mr. Javens, I am surprised he has never passed away due to the loss of blood, gushing out of his ears for internal or external bleeding. :)

When 8th grade rolled around I was a 2yr student and I practiced every day for those 2 years, religiously. Mr. Javens said I was his best student, the others in the class thought so too so they made me Band President, woooooo hooooooo!

Now High School, what a blast, now I got to play with the greats, actually they thought they were the greats, until I got there, lol, Duane (Don't remember his name, doesn't matter), Sheridan Taylor, he was a good mentor, Sharon Thorton (Montgomery), and much much more. It did not take long to get used to the people in class and to own my instrument. Mr Javens worked with me a lot and took time after school to help me with hitting notes and making sure I mastered my instrument. Lol, I have to laugh, one time I could not go to Disney land due to my grades, I had an F, lol, in like 5 classes, lol. Jim said, and I will never forget, "You are my dumbest most talented student", I don't know what was said after that but it struck a chord.

I attended Tooele High School my Senior year to try out for a few Band Scholarships, I played with the Blue Devils in the Summer of 1993. Joined the Air-Force in June 1994, and was the base Bugler for Lack land AFB for 8 weeks. Played with the Air-Force band for 6 months, was deployed to Saudi Arabia and there I was the Base Bugler, then stationed at Whiteman AFB and finished there also as the base Bugler and was the Squadron Leader for the 351st Color Guard. I received over $120,000 in scholarships for college just for playing a damn Trumpet. I'm glad I never picked the trombone, lol.

So in short if it was not for the special attention of a great teacher, mentor and man, who knows where I would have gone. Today I am 34 yrs old and still play the trumpet, I don't play for an hour everyday but I attribute many of my accomplishments today for playing an instrument. I am a Computer Engineer, a proud veteran of this country, I have traveled the world twice and a father of 4 soon to be 5 and I plan on teaching all my children to play an instrument.

Thank you Jim for not letting me push a piano down the road. Bets of wishes and you will always be in my heart and I hope after many will read this letter they will have an idea of the impact you made not on just my life, but the lives that I influence everyday. Your a genius and a mad man for working with all the students, it takes a special person to deal with students but especially me.

Sincerely,

Christopher Fields

p.s. I could write a book on my "Band Adventures"

Jada Shaner

Jada Shaner
Today at 12:47am
Mr. Javens changed my life... I was a lowly sixth grader and wanted to be in the High School Band as a Majorette. I was so nervous. But I went and auditioned. I got the job and my summers were never the same again. He brought out the best in the band. I haven't heard it play as well since.

"Great results cannot be achieved at once, and we must be satisfied to advance in life as we walk --- step by step." ---Samuel Smiles.

I cannot think of a better man to apply that quote to. He walked step by step with the band for many, many miles! Always pulling a bit more from his players than any other man could.

I always valued his opinion and advice. He was a great teacher. I'm proud to call him an acquaintance and wish him the very best on his 80th birthday!

-----

Sharon,

My aunt adored him, and he her. She also might like to pass along a few words. I'll see what she has to say.

Thanks for thinking of me.

Bruce Butcher

Bruce Butcher
March 5 at 11:29am
Sayings I remember and cherish from Mr. Javens:
"That was pathetic, just pathetic!"
"you almost always get out of something what you put into it"
"rinkydink"

Great Idea to send some messages to our beloved Jim Javens.

Hope all is well with you.
Bruce Butcher

Andy Butcher

Andy Butcher

June 14 at 7:51am

Reply

OK Sharon. I feel the heat now!

Mr. Javens had to have hated how I never really read sheet music and I just tried to wing it (sounding out the notes) instead. I don't know why he never confronted me and just said, Andrew, learn to read music, will ya?

Mr. Javens was always a very classy dresser. I remember thinking that he must make a lot more money than he lets on.

The biggest influence Mr. Javens actually made on me was not in Band. It was in my High School (Senior Year) psychology class that he taught.
Within a year I took Psychology, Sociology and Social Work 101. Now I'm a family therapist.

I still love playing in the Grantsville Old Folk's Sociable. I'm glad that he always supported the Sociable every year by getting the band ready for it. I could always tell he had a little bit of anxiety around how we would perform.


The biggest phrase I remember still and use every now and then as I laugh is "Quiet down now!! I can't hear myself think!!"

If this message gets to him, Thanks Mr. Javens for all of your patience over the years!

Andrew Butcher

Jen Tanaka

Jennifer Tanaka

July 10 at 7:39pm

Reply

What can I say about Mr. Javens and the way he affected my life?
Okay, I will never, ever forgot the road trips we took to California and the wackiness that ensued. Mr. Javens would drive behind the bus, and one time we convinced the bus driver (I can't remember her name) to pull the bus over to play a practical joke on Mr. Javens. When the bus slowed and finally pulled off to the side of the road in the middle of nowhere between Las Vegas and California Mr. Javens ran up to us with a concerned look on his face. It was all we could do to not burst out laughing and give away the joke. Mr. Javens hurried up the bus stairs and found the bus driver slumped over the steering wheel. He placed his hand on her shoulder to ask what was wrong and all of a sudden the driver looked up at him with a cackle and gummy worms hanging out of her nose and mouth. Mr. Javens just laughed along with us and I could tell he had enjoyed the joke as much as we had. He was always like that.
Mr. Javens was a very professional dresser and teacher, but there was also a side of him that was funny and accepting.
I always felt that Mr. Javens cared about the band and the band members and because of this he always brought out the very best in us. I was always proud to participate in the varies parades we were invited to, and when I got nervous just the sight of Mr. Javens walking along with us made me feel better.
Wow, I can't believe that it's been 17 years since high school! And still I can remember those marching practices down Hale street, the way Mr. Javens could lead the band by a twitch of his finger, and laughing with him in the band office.
I can honestly say that I'm a better person today because Mr. Javens was my teacher. I remember him with a fond nostalgia and even today these memories make me smile :)
Happy Birthday Mr. Javens. I hope that or messages find you healthy and happy! May all the goodness you gave to us be returned upon you ten fold! Thank you for being such a caring teacher and role model!
Cheers,
Jennifer Tanaka

Don Thornton

Ok, if it's not too late, here's my contribution:

I heard of Mr. Javens long (from the perspective of a kid it was long) before I met him. With three older siblings to pave the way for me I heard many stories (all of which have faded) that grew into a legend in my mind. All I knew was that I had to get old as fast as I could so that I could join the most desirable cult in the history of the World:

The Grantsville High School Band.

There was no doubt in my mind that I would play, or what instrument it would be. Having only one older brother, I naturally practiced and took up his instrument, the trombone. I learned how to buzz my lips to get, at first, a strangled squeek out of a brass instrument (or anything with a mouthpiece--milk jug, pvc pipe, garden hose, hornet's nest--no, scratch the last one), and then to draw a pure tone of music, as my lips got beefier. I learned what it meant to have an embouchure and heard whispers that it would help me to get a girlfriend, eventually. Something about trombone and trumpet players being good kissers...anyway...

I remember meeting Mr. Javens for the first time as he instructed me (officially) in the ways of the trombone, and that my arms were not quite long enough to reach 7th position while maintaining a connection with the mouthpiece. "Don't worry a bit", he said. "You're brother is an excellent player, and I'm sure you'll grow." He told me that my "tone" was amazing. From that moment on, his good opinion meant more than just about any other.

I was always impressed with Mr. Javens' poise. He was "cool" before I knew what the word meant. Even the way he led the music had style. I still chuckle at the conductors of choirs and bands when I see their wild gyrations. I can't help but compare them to my teacher's quiet, controlled posture, one hand at his side ready to point to bring a section in at the right time, and the other hand at the center of his chest, fingers moving out-and-in, out-and-in, keeping time. He always seemed to handle our weaknesses with patience, but was not adverse to handing out the occasional "That was pathetic!".

I never thought of Mr. Javens as a "teacher" at the High School, but as a leader. He could make you seriously want to do better, by simply expecting it of you. It was years after high school that I realized he was a master of creating what didn't yet exist. I spent all that time remembering fondly that I was "the best trombone player in our school" (and the implication was that I was the best in any school around). Gradually, reality set in and I realized that there were only two of us in the entire trombone section. But he made me feel like I was the best and to strive for that with all of my highly distractable, unambitious, ability. I just wish that my brain had managed to come online sooner than it did. I feel like I'm still waking up, mentally, and I would love the chance to go back and truly be the best. He still has that effect on me.

His intelligence was always an influence with me, but his sense of humor made him approachable. He even laughed when we duct-taped his daughter to the bus seat during a road trip to California. He took the 2nd and 3rd degree sunburns we all got on our first day at the beach in stride and simply pointed out that our bus driver was also a paramedic, so not to worry. His occasional jokes and puns were the investment he needed to make in us so that when it was 100 degrees and we were marching down the asphalt of the parking lot he could extract our continuing efforts and make us feel privileged to be there.

My memories of High School are now very blurry to me, but I owe Mr. Jim Javens for some of the best ones I still have. Thank you, Mr. Javens, for the person you chose to be and for investing in all of us.

Don Thornton