A Gratitude-Filled Heart

by Robert Nance, Founder & Artistic Director Emeritus

Every morning, I get up around 5 a.m., feed the fur creatures that live in my home (and who remind me daily that I am a servant) and make coffee. Once I have my brewed cup of java, I sit in quiet solitude (cats notwithstanding) to meditate, contemplate life, and, on occasion, have a heart to heart with my Creator. I cherish this time because it energizes my creative self, which then propels me to look toward the day and into the future. I want to be productive and a good steward of my talents and resources; thus the following questions come to mind: What shall I do with my creative gifts today? What creative endeavors shall I embark on in the future?

I’m telling you this to help you understand that I tend to be forward-looking most of the time. Today is all I’ve got and, while I know I cannot change the past, I can prepare for the future.

Now that I have assumed my new role as Founder & Artistic Director Emeritus at Heartland Sings, my forward thinking is tempered by a bit of nostalgia and a whole lot of gratitude. To have established this wonderful arts organization with the generous support of so many wonderful donors is quite the accomplishment for all involved. I am grateful that my vision for a professional vocal company has been realized and continues to thrive and grow. And I am grateful for the outstanding artists who have come to work for our company and enrich us with their talents. The seeds we planted years ago are blessing us today in so many ways. Heartland Sings is a blessing!

But even as my heart fills with joy and gratitude for the many people who helped me build this arts institution, I know that progress can still be made, and that we need to prepare accordingly. Each year, we find new ways to engage and support our community through our artistry. Each year we go beyond mere entertainment, enriching the community with education and outreach programming that changes lives. Each year, we take a step closer to realizing a business model that is effectively supporting career artists with a living wage and enabling them to make cultural life here in Fort Wayne both unique and vibrant. We still need help to be the blessing this community needs us to be today, tomorrow, and forevermore.

As we enter this holiday season, I ask that you join me in helping Heartland Sings continue impacting communities in Northeast Indiana and beyond. Your gift will help us teach another student, create another program for a retirement facility, deliver another educational workshop for a school, and help sustain the livelihoods of our artists. A gift to Heartland Sings makes a difference not just for us, but also for the wide swath of people who directly benefit from the music we share.

Perhaps you are looking for a gift for that special someone? A donation in honor of a loved one or a dear friend would be a perfect Christmas present. Think about it — it's a gift you don’t have to wrap, and a gift your recipient doesn’t need to display and constantly dust! And it is heartwarming all the same.

Happy Holidays, and thank you for considering a donation to Heartland Sings.
With gratitude,
Maestro Robert Nance