“Season of Light” - Letter from the Artistic Director

Welcome to Heartland Sings’ 29th Season: A Season of Light! I am honored to be writing my first letter to you as the Artistic Director of Heartland Sings. While we rightfully applaud the organization’s past and the remarkable work Heartland Sings has done in our community, I write this letter with eagerness and great anticipation for what the future holds.

Although Light may seem like a simple theme, the more I delved into its meaning, the more complexity I found. Light is something we experience in nature every day: the sun, moon, and stars. It may be how we receive warmth, or it may be an analogy for hope or joy. Light in relation to darkness is profound. As Madeleine L’Engle said, “maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light.”

I recently read an interview with Australian musician and writer Nick Cave who talks about finding joy after grief. He says, “It really took the devastation to understand and accept the possibility of a kind of joyful relationship with the world…grief paves the way for meaning.” His comments resonated with me and were partially my inspiration for our upcoming Season of Light.

I invite you to join us on this journey exploring Light in its many forms and contemplating what it provides humankind through four carefully crafted concerts: Beckoning Light, The Spirit of Christmas: a Light in the Darkness, Illuminate: Shining Light on Child Abuse & Neglect, and Enduring Light.

Light has affected all of us, and I hope this season will allow you to reflect on its impact in your life.

-Natalie Young, Artistic Director