|
Choir Spotlight – Allan Hughes
Though he already played the accordion and clarinet, Allan Hughes remembers the precise moment he became “firmly a musician.” Freshman year in high school, he was the only band student that played a warm-up exercise correctly, promoting him to “first chair” status as a clarinetist. His feeling about music instantly changed: what was a casual hobby became something important to him, and looking back he realizes, “it was such an impactful part of my life.”
Born in San Francisco, and raised mostly in San Mateo, Allan laughs when sharing he “flunked out of UC Berkeley,” due, in part, to his participation in the excellent but rowdy Cal Marching Band, and “lack of studying.” Landing on his feet and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Cal Poly, the highly accomplished, now-retired engineer, licensed pilot, and Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad volunteer worked for various Silicon Valley companies before starting his own, all while playing in community bands and ultimately joining singing groups. He was inspired to try singing after spying a choir’s rehearsal and realizing “they were having way more fun!”
Singing would lead him to meet his future wife, our rector, the Rev. Maly Hughes, when both performed with The Choral Project of San Jose. A wonderful surprise of assigned seating on a musical trip to Wales brought them together. “What a fateful moment!” he says. Dedicated to Episcopal church activities, their busy lives also include five children and five grandchildren, covering both coasts. Allan’s great love and admiration for Maly are evident, even when he irreverently deadpans, “I’m married to the mob.”
About singing in Saint Andrew’s choir, Allan says “I enjoy being around the younger people who are beginning their musical careers. It’s a joy to watch.”
| 
