Welcome!
It is both an honor and a joy to welcome you to A Choral Testament. For 28 years, I have welcomed audiences to Heartland Sings concerts and, as this is my last as the Artistic Director, today is rather monumental. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for this company and for me, and my sense of nostalgia on this day is embraced by a core excitement for what the future holds. All I can say is thank you to all who have supported my vision for this company of vocal artists. My passion for music in general and singing in particular have led me to dedicate most of my career to this endeavor in Fort Wayne, and my heart and soul will forever be embedded in Heartland Sings and Fort Wayne.
While I am grateful for this concert’s dedication to my work, today’s performance is so much more than a tribute to me. It is a tribute to “We.” “We” are the many people who have been a part of Heartland Sings for the past 28 years. Yes, it has been my honor to be the founder, visionary, facilitator, and leader of this unique arts organization, but it would have never been possible without the support of so many good people over the years.
Today’s concert is a witness to the value of singing as a reflection of the human spirit and of the community values that are embodied in the vocal-ensemble experience. Singing together is more than an art form; it’s one of the highest forms of human communication that makes possible a connection of heart and soul, mind and body, and forges a strong, compassionate human bond with others. The voice is truly the first art and deserves a hallowed place at the arts table.
Today’s concert is also a springboard into the future. It’s the moment when the founder becomes a supporter, opening the door to new leadership and expanded directions, to allow for the broadest possible continuation of the mission and vision of Heartland Sings. As I move into my new role as the Founder & Artistic Director Emeritus, working as always to support the mission and vision for Heartland Sings, I ask you to join me in supporting this important arts organization and helping our wonderful staff continue to provide the meaningful programming that has been a hallmark of our history.
In closing, let me thank you for an amazing 28 years. I am looking forward to this new chapter in Heartland Sings’ story and helping to ensure its prosperity.
Gratefully yours,
Maestro Robert Nance
President & Founding Artistic Director
Gloria Fanfare | Text & Music: Jeffrey L. Ames
Gloria to life and music
Come and sing with a joyful song!
Sing to music with a joyful song
Sing to life reborn, sing loud and strong.
Laudate cantemus: to music and to life
Sing of hope renewed within our soul.
Sweet music ring until we sing
and set our spirits free
Live in our hearts as we impart
its love for all to see.
Sing to music with a joyful song
Sing to life reborn, sing loud and strong.
Laudate cantemus: to music and to life.
Rejoice and sing. Alleluia!
Let your voices ring!
Come celebrate, all ye people,
of life reborn and hope renewed
Come celebrate, Alleluia.
Gloria!
This celebratory fanfare by Jeffrey Ames was written as an opening chorus for the 2009 Christmas at Belmont, broadcast nationally on the PBS network. The work has two texts, one for Christmas and the one we are using today that focuses on music and life - a fitting opening to a celebration of the value of singing and the ensemble experience. We set our spirits free when we have a song in our hearts! (Trivia note: Our Associate Artistic Director Natalie Young was a student at Belmont when this song was premiered and was among the singers in that performance!)
Dirait-on | Text: Rainer Maria Rilke; Music: Morten Johannes Lauridsen
Abandon entouré d'abandon,
tendresse touchant aux tendresses...
C'est ton intérieur qui sans cesse
se caresse, dirait-on ;
Se caresse en soi-même,
par son propre reflet éclairé.
Ainsi tu inventes le thème
du Narcisse exhaucé.
Abandonment surrounded by abandonment,
tenderness touching tenderness...
It's your interior that ceaselessly
caresses itself, one might say;
Caresses itself within itself,
by its own enlightened reflection.
Thus you invent the theme
of Narcissus fulfilled.
This beautiful song by Morten Lauridsen was chosen for this performance because it was one of the pieces I programmed for Heartland Sings at their first concert in 1997. The poem is about a rose and it speaks to the rose’s self-sufficiency and a complete, self contained existence, in contrast to the myth of Narcissus. Beyond the historical reason for programming “Dirait-on,” the song speaks of a vision being stubbornly held and beautifully realized – just as Heartland Sings was envisioned 28 years ago and is now a reality.
Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten | Shaker Hymn arranged by William Hawley
Not one sparrow is forgotten, e’en the raven God will feed;
And the lily of the valley from His bounty hath its need.
Then shall I not trust Thee, Father, in Thy mercy have a share?
And through faith and prayer, my Mother, merit Thy protecting care?
This beautiful Shaker Hymn was chosen for today’s concert to underpin the memorial dedication we offer to those who have helped us along the way but have passed on from this earthly life. It is a poignant reminder that we all are loved by God and, just as God remembers each of us, we shall remember them.
The Lord Is My Shepherd | Text: Psalm 23 (KJV); Music: Robert Nance
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in pastures green;
He leadeth me beside the waters still. He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For Thou art with me, Thy Rod and Thy Staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.
This selection is one of my earliest works, and has become a staple work in many libraries across the country thanks to the Mormon Tabernacle choir who performed it under my direction in the year 2000 during a weekly broadcast entitled, “Music and the Spoken Word.” The orchestration by Adrian Mann was premiered in a memorial concert to Patricia Mae Adsit. We include it in this program today as part of our commemoration of those who have passed before us.
Seeking Peace | Text & Music: Robert Nance
(taking inspiration from “Vespers” by Rachmaninoff and the Spiritual “Jacob’s Ladder”)
“Glory be to God on high and on earth peace, goodwill to all who dwell on earth! Alleluia!”
We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, seeking heaven’s peace.
Every rung goes higher, higher, seeking heaven’s peace.
Can you see? We’re all God’s children (!) seeking heaven’s peace.
Rise up! Shine Forth! Give God Glory! Peace is in our hands.
We are climbing higher, higher, seeking heaven’s peace.
“Seeking Peace” was commissioned by Virginia Zimmerman for the vocal artists of Heartland Sings and first performed for the Spirit of Christmas at the Allen County Courthouse in 2019. It was reworked in 2025 and expanded with an orchestration for this performance. The work takes inspiration from two songs that embody the call for “peace on earth” and the struggle to achieve peace. It is a timely message for us all.
Lux Aeterna | Text from the Latin Mass; Music by Morten Johannes Lauridsen
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:
Rest eternal grant to them, Lord;
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
and light perpetual let shine on them.
Te decet hymnus Deus in Zion,
Thee befits hymn God in Zion,
et tibi redetur
and to thee shall be fulfilled
votum in Jerusalem.
vow in Jerusalem.
exaudi orationem meam,
Hear my prayer,
ad te omnis caro veniet.
to thee all flesh shall come.Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem
You to deliver us became man
non horruisti Virginis uterum.
not disdaining the Virgin’s womb
Tu devicto mortis aculeo,
You overcame death’s sting,
aperuisti credentibus regna coelorum.
opened to believers the kingdom of heaven.
Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis.
Risen in the darkness, a light for the upright
Miserere nostri, Domine,
Have mercy on us, Lord
Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos
Let it be Thy mercy, Lord, be upon us
quemadmodum speravimus in te.
as we have trusted in thee.
In te Domine, speravi:
In thee Lord, I have trusted
non confundar in aeternum.
not confounded for ever.O nata lux de lumine,
O born light of light,
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
Jesus redeemer of age,
dignare clemens supplicum
to deem worthy merciful of supplicants
laudes preces que sumere.praises prayers and to accept.
Qui carne quondam contegi
Who in flesh once to be clothed
dignatus es pro perditis,
you deigned for lost ones,
Nos membra confer effici,
Us members grant to be made,
tui beati corporis.
of your blessed body.Veni Sancte Spiritus,
Come, Holy Spirit
Et emitte coelitus
And send forth from heaven
Lucis tuae radium
of light your ray.
Veni, pater pauperum,
Come, father of poor,
Veni, dator munerum,
Come, giver of gifts,
Veni, lumen cordium.
Come, light of hearts.
Consolatur optime,
Consoler best,
Dulcis hospes animae,
sweet guest of soul,
Dulce refrigerium.
sweet refreshment.
In labore requies,
In labor rest,
In aestu temperies,
in heat tempering,
In fletu solatium.|
In grief solace.
O lux beatissima,
O light most blessed,
Reple cordis intima
fill of heats depths
Tuorum fidelium.
of your faithful.
Sine tuo numine,
Without your nod/consent,
Nihil est in homine,
nothing is in man,
Nihil est innoxium,
nothing is harmless,
Lava quod est sordidum,
Cleanse what is sordid,
Riga quod est aridum,
Moisten what is arid,
Sana quod est saucium.
Heal what is hurt.
Flecta quod est rigidum,
Flex what is rigid,
Fove quod est frigidum,
Warm what is frigid,
Rege quod est devium.
Correct what is devious.
Da tuis fidelibus,
Give to your faithful,
In te confidentibus,
In you trusting,
Sacrum septenarium.
sacred seven-fold.
Da virtutis meritum
Give of virtue merit,
Da salutis exitum,
Give of salvation passing,
Da perenne gaudium.
Give continuing joy.Agnus Dei
Lamb of God
qui tollis peccata mundi,
(you) who take away sins of world,
dona eis requiem.
grant them rest.
dona eis requiem sempiternam
grant them rest everlasting.
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine.
Light eternal shine upon them, Lord.
Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum
with your Saints forever
quia pius es.
Because you are merciful
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:
Rest eternal grant to them, Lord;
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
and let light perpetual shine on them.
Alleluia. Amen.
I chose the LUX AETERNA to commemorate the many souls who helped to forge the foundation for Heartland Sings over the past 28 years. We remember them for their dedication and for leaving us with a part of their creative spirit. They include industry leaders: Robert Page, Alice Parker, Albert McNeil, Stephen Paulus, Carver Cossey, and donors: Lynn Salomon, Fred Haines, Gloria Fink, Betty Stein, Diane & Otto Behrens and Patricia Mae Adsit.
I also chose this work because it speaks of the eternal “light” and this subject springs us into Heartland’s 29th season under the direction of our new Artistic Director, Natalie Young. Natalie has brilliantly programmed a season that focuses on aspects of light, which will help us reflect and navigate an era of darkness. As people fail to see what is true and right in our most precious world, my hope is that the light eternal will help illuminate the way and the truth.
Use Me, Lord | Text & Music: Byron Smith
Mold me Lord, Make me Lord, into whatever you say.
You are the potter and I’m the vessel.
Have thine own way.
Make my voice an instrument of the Holy word you sent.
Shape my life into whatever that you say.
Hold me Lord, guide me Lord down the path you make for me.
Use me Lord, for thy service. Use me.
Use me Lord in ways I cannot see.
Choose my path so that I can follow thee.
Cleanse my heart so I may serve you Lord more abundantly.
Use me Lord. Forever I’ll serve thee. Oh use me Lord. Use me.
Have thine own way in my heart, dear Lord, hear me pray.
Lead me and guide me to help the lost to find their way.
Teach me with your Holy word, I surrender my life to thee.
I find joy serving you for eternity, Use me Jesus.
I am extremely proud of the fact that Heartland Sings makes it a priority to represent the vocal arts as widely as possible, programming music from opera to jazz, classical to pop, country to gospel, and more. Among my many fond memories of Heartland Sings concerts relates to our work with artists such as Albert McNeil and his Jubilee Singers, and his protégés Byron Smith and Carver Cossey. This song was written by Byron and, at one amazing MLK Commemoration concert with the Pilgrim Baptist Church choirs, Carver conducted us all in a most energetic performance of “Use Me, Lord.” We pay tribute to all those who love gospel music and the spirit it brings, and by including this in our program today, we remember that Albert and Carver were here in Fort Wayne and left their musical mark on us!
Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) | Text: Horace Everett; Music: Aaron Copland
The promise of living with hope and thanksgiving
Is born of our loving our friends and our labor.
The promise of growing with faith and with knowing
Is born of our sharing our love with our neighbor.
The promise of living, the promise of growing
Is born of our singing in joy and thanksgiving.
For many a year we’ve known these fields and known all the work that makes them yield.
Are you ready to lend a hand? By working together we’ll bring in the blessings of harvest.
We’re ready to work, we’re ready to lend a hand.
We plant each row with seeds of grain, and Providence sends us the sun and the rain.
By lending a hand, by lending an arm, bring out from the farm the blessings of harvest!
O let us be joyful, O let us be grateful,
Come join us in thanking the Lord for His blessing.
Give thanks there was sunshine, Give thanks there was rain,
Give thanks we have hands to deliver the grain.
The promise of ending in right understanding
Is peace in our own hearts and peace with our neighbor.
O let us sing our song, and let our song be heard.
Let’s sing our song with our hearts, a promise in that song.
The promise of living, the promise of growing,
The promise of ending is labor and sharing and loving.
This final chorus from Copland’s opera, THE TENDER LAND, speaks of love, gratitude, and peace. These are the blessings of life when we work together in compassion and care for others. This message, passionately stated with Copland’s beautiful music, encapsulates what I have tried to be about my entire life. Let us all be joyful and grateful for all that we have done and will do together.