EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES

Side-by-Side Program

Each year, Heartland shares the stage with area high school and collegiate vocal students. From regular season concerts to those that have been specially produced for a particular school, area vocal students exposed to the rigors of the professional environment learn that a career in music is an exciting and challenging prospect. During Heartland’s 14th season, Heartland was honored to partner with University of Saint Francis’ University Singers in the “Heartland Sings: We Are the Dream” concert and with Homestead High School’s Chamber Ensemble in the “Heartland Sings: Irish” concert. Several high school students joined the chorus for “Heartland Sings: Messiah” and “Heartland Sings: Yom HaShoah”. These students, along with hundreds of others who have sung with Heartland, inspire the singers to continue their support of and advocacy of music education.

Everybody Sing

Everybody Sing is Heartland's new educational outreach program. Working together, Maestro Nance and Jessica Dodson created a program that would emphasize singing as a language of communication. The fact is, everybody can sing, and it is our hope that Everbody does Sing. The program is closely aligned with four of Indiana’s educational standards and allows students to interact with the singers by adding rhythmic accompaniments, singing with the group, and discussing the music. The teachers were even more eager when they heard the presentation would allow the students to interact and cover four state standards.

In October, Heartland targeted middle schools. Six schools were interested in inviting Heartland, but a lack of funds limited the ensemble to only three visits. Summit Middle School choral director Anita Kowalski said after the program, “the feedback from the kids was wonderful! They had recently critiqued their own performance keeping in mind musical concepts like dynamic changes, blend, balance, pitch accuracy, entrances and cut-offs, and we were able to use the same words in speaking about your performance.” Other October visits included Paul Harding Junior High and Ascension Lutheran School.

In February, Heartland will target elementary schools with seven visits scheduled and six schools still contemplating hiring the group. Currently, Heartland is working with several organizations to receive funding for this new initiative so that the program can continue. If you would like to support this new initiative, please call Heartland’s office at 260.436.8080.