Greetings from Heartland Sings! The Heartland Voice podcast will be taking a quick break while we prep for our 28th Season. We will be back in September! While you wait, head on over to heartlandsings.org or call (260) 436-8080 to pick up your season tickets now! Thanks for listening!

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings

A few months ago we enjoyed live music with Hannah and Elijah Denecke. We share a few ideas about music, trips, and love.

Biographies
The Deneckes could have met as toddlers in Western New York; instead, they fell in love as teenagers in Western Illinois. Since then, they’ve roamed and rambled to Florida, New Jersey, and Indiana. The Deneckes are musical pilgrims on life’s lonesome highway. In April 2023, they released their debut album: lady of the gardens. In September 2023, they released an EP of old American tunes: pilgrim songs from the sacred harp. The Deneckes have performed their original music in a variety of venues throughout North America. After finishing a residency at St. Gertrude's Monastery in January 2024, Hannah Porter Denecke has written several new songs (two of which we hear on this episode of Heartland Voice). Help us make our next album come to life! All of the details can be found at our website: https://www.thedeneckes.com/ournextalbum
Dr Hannah Denecke likes to write words and music, and for you to read or hear them. She is a singer/songwriter and musicologist currently residing in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Hannah completed the PhD in Musicology at Florida State University in April 2023. Hannah enjoys over-extending metaphors.
Dr Elijah Denecke is the Visiting Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Purdue University Fort Wayne, Dr. Elijah Denecke was previously employed as adjunct trumpet instructor at the College of Central Florida (Ocala, FL), as well as teaching assistant for Dr. Christopher Moore at Florida State University. He now maintains an active performing career across the United States with many professional orchestras including the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Boise Philharmonic, Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Gainesville Symphony Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Knox-Galesburg Symphony Orchestra, the Gainesville Brass Quintet, and the Prairie Wind Ensemble. Additionally, he has performed with the Tallahassee Swing Band and the Garden State Jazz Orchestra, as well as with notable jazz musicians Wayne Bergeron, Randy Brecker, Marshall Gilkes, Dave Pietro, Doug Stone, and Steve Lippia. Denecke also performed and traveled with Chicago-based Ska's the Limit for three years. In 2015 the band opened for a sold-out crowd in the Castle Theatre (Bloomington, IL), sharing the stage with popular ska band Reel Big Fish. continue ...
Music
Who is She and Open your Sacred Heart by Hanna and Elijah Denecke recording live at Heartland Sings Studios.

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings

Today, April 22, we had a conversation about Dr. Jonathan Young and his journey as a well rounded artist with experience in percussion, voice, and his main instrument the piano.

"Dr. Jonathan Young is an active pianist, composer, teacher, conductor, and accompanist. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance at the University of Kansas, studying with Dr. Steven Spooner. Career highlights include performing Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody with the Purdue Fort Wayne Orchestra, advancing to the final round of the American Prize for Solo Piano - Professional Division in 2021, the establishment of the American Liszt Society's Northern Indiana Chapter in 2021, working as coach/accompanist at Opera in the Ozarks in Summer 2018, attending the Bel Canto Summer Academy in Germany as a collaborative pianist in 2016, and performing solo piano at Haydn’s Esterhazy Palace in Austria through the Classical Music Festival in 2013. In concerto performances, Dr. Young has performed Mozart's Piano Concerto in C Minor with the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra and Mozart's Piano Concerto in D Minor with the Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony Orchestra. He is an avid performer of chamber music, vocal, instrumental, and choral music. He also served as vice president of KU’s Collegiate Chapter of MTNA. Jonathan currently serves as Lecturer of Piano at Purdue University - Fort Wayne and maintains an active piano studio at the Community Arts Academy." (Young, J., 2024)


Music:
Piano Recording by Dr. Young
Rondeña from Iberia Book 2, composed by Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909).

Enjoy Dr Young Recital HERE!

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings

Principal Teaching Artist David Bobay sat down for an exciting three-episode Pride month series with Dr. William Sauerland, author of Queering Vocal Pedagogy: A Handbook for Teaching Trans and Genderqueer Singers and Fostering Gender-Affirming Spaces. Dr. Sauerland and David discussed vocal repertoire across the spectrum for trans and Genderqueer singers, as well as Musicals and Operas featuring gender-expansive characters.

William Sauerland (he/him/they/them) is assistant professor of music and director of choral studies at Purdue University Fort Wayne, conducting the choral ensembles, teaching classes in music education, and supervising student teachers. Sauerland was previously a lecturer in voice at San Francisco State University and the director of choral and vocal studies at Chabot College in Hayward, California. Dr. Sauerland taught choral music at Lick-Wilmerding High School for six years and served as associate music director for the Grammy Award-winning Pacific Boychoir Academy. He also has ten years of experience in directing community choruses, including the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus and the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco.  
(see transcript for the remainder of bio)
 
This episode will focus on answering the following questions: 

How do you define queer? (4:16)

Why is it important that 'Queering Vocal Pedagogy' is thought of as actively evolving?  (8:18) 

How can vocal instructors help non-traditional voices develop their craft? (10:36)

Trans-nonbinary singers and repertoire (16:01) 

Music Example Credits:

Unholy by Kim Petras & Sam Smith

You can purchase Queering Vocal Pedagogy here.

Production:
 
David Bobay
 
Sydney Fabregas

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings

Principal Teaching Artist David Bobay sat down for an exciting three-episode Pride month series with Dr. William Sauerland, author of Queering Vocal Pedagogy: A Handbook for Teaching Trans and Genderqueer Singers and Fostering Gender-Affirming Spaces. Dr. Sauerland and David discussed vocal repertoire across the spectrum for trans and Genderqueer singers, as well as Musicals and Operas featuring gender-expansive characters.

William Sauerland (he/him/they/them) is assistant professor of music and director of choral studies at Purdue University Fort Wayne, conducting the choral ensembles, teaching classes in music education, and supervising student teachers. Sauerland was previously a lecturer in voice at San Francisco State University and the director of choral and vocal studies at Chabot College in Hayward, California. Dr. Sauerland taught choral music at Lick-Wilmerding High School for six years and served as associate music director for the Grammy Award-winning Pacific Boychoir Academy. He also has ten years of experience in directing community choruses, including the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus and the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco.  
(see transcript for the remainder of bio)
 
This episode will focus on answering the following questions: 

How do you define queer? (4:16)

 Why is it important that 'Queering Vocal Pedagogy' is thought of as actively evolving? (8:18) 

How can vocal instructors help non-traditional voices develop their craft? (10:37)

Transmasculine singers and repertoire (16:00)

Music Example Credits:

Holden Madagame as mezzo

Holden Madagame as tenor

You can purchase Queering Vocal Pedagogy here.

Production:
 
David Bobay
 
Sydney Fabregas

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings

Principal Teaching Artist David Bobay sat down for an exciting three-episode Pride month series with Dr. William Sauerland, author of Queering Vocal Pedagogy: A Handbook for Teaching Trans and Genderqueer Singers and Fostering Gender-Affirming Spaces. Dr. Sauerland and David discussed vocal repertoire across the spectrum for trans and Genderqueer singers, as well as Musicals and Operas featuring gender-expansive characters.

William Sauerland (he/him/they/them) is assistant professor of music and director of choral studies at Purdue University Fort Wayne, conducting the choral ensembles, teaching classes in music education, and supervising student teachers. Sauerland was previously a lecturer in voice at San Francisco State University and the director of choral and vocal studies at Chabot College in Hayward, California. Dr. Sauerland taught choral music at Lick-Wilmerding High School for six years and served as associate music director for the Grammy Award-winning Pacific Boychoir Academy. He also has ten years of experience in directing community choruses, including the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus and the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco.  
(see transcript for the remainder of bio)

This episode will focus on answering the following questions: 

How do you define queer? (4:18)

 Why is it important that 'Queering Vocal Pedagogy' is thought of as actively evolving? (8:20)

How can vocal instructors help non-traditional voices develop their craft? (10:38)

Transfeminine singers and repertoire (16:03)

Music Example Credits:

Breanna Sinclaire

Lucia Lucas

You can purchase Queering Vocal Pedagogy here.

Production:

David Bobay

Sydney Fabregas

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings

Today we had a conversation about the life of the artist, countertenor performer. pedagogue, choir conductor, and more with Dr William Sauerland from Purdue University Fort Wayne.

"William Sauerland (he/they) is an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies for the School of Music at Purdue University – Fort Wayne, conducting choral ensembles, teaching applied voice lessons and classes in music education, and supervising student teachers. Sauerland is also an adjudicator and voice faculty member for the Schmidt Vocal Arts Institute, and Assistant Chorus Master for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus. He was previously a Lecturer in Voice at San Francisco State University, and the Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Chabot College. Dr. Sauerland taught choral music at Lick-Wilmerding High School for six years, and served as Associate Music Director for the Grammy Award-winning Pacific Boychoir Academy. He also has 10 years of experience in directing community choruses in San Francisco and Oakland.
Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for “limpid tone and astonishing eloquence,” Dr. Sauerland remains active as a professional countertenor. A former member of the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer, Sauerland has sung throughout the world, and recorded multiple albums for Warner Classics. As a researcher, Dr. Sauerland has presented at dozens of international, national, and regional conferences. His publications appear in the Choral Journal, Journal of Singing, Journal of Music Teacher Education, VOICEPrints, and in two choral textbooks, Resonance (Pavane Publishing, 2021) and The Choral Conductor’s Companion (GIA Publications, 2020). His book Queering Vocal Pedagogy was published by Rowman & Littlefield in June 2022. Dr. Sauerland has forthcoming chapters with Oxford University Press and Routledge Press. "( Sauerland, W., 2024)

Music Credits:
Monteverdi's Pur ti Miro
Countertenor Dr. William Sauerland & Soprano Eleanor Blythman

Handel's Se un di m'adoro
Countertenor Dr. William Sauerland

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings

Today we enjoyed a conversation filled with experiences and music with Cote Godoy from Musical Connexion.

José Manuel (¨Cote¨) Godoy, musician and educator, was born in Santiago de Chile, where, at 5 years old he began his journey with music. Cote has received national recognition for his songwriting and pioneered the community arts Open Microphone Movement in Santiago de Chile. He studied music development at the University of Humanities in Chile, as well as Waldorf pedagogy and therapeutic education. Sponsored by the Chilean Department of Education and Culture, Cote provided interdisciplinary clinics combining academia and arts to colleges and universities in the U.S.A. His work as coordinator of children’s music programs in the capital city and abroad has led to a deeper exploration and study of a variety of holistic pedagogical approaches.  Additionally, as a professional Musician and Healing Artist for adults and children at NE Indiana's largest regional hospital, Cote knows first-hand the power of music in strengthening and healing. Cote believes that music is the language of possibility and brings a broad range of experience and a dedicated heart to working with children. (https://www.musicalconexion.com/about)

Music:
El Bosquejo by José Godoy and This Little Light of Mine arranged by José Cote Godoy.
Subida by Intillimani

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings

Today (03/14) we talked about her artistic journey from Canada to the United States and Beyond. Emily loves going on walks with her dog and taking care of her plants.

Emily Bird is a graduate from the University of Notre Dame, with a Masters of Sacred Music in vocal performance. While at Notre Dame, she served as a director with the Notre Dame Children’s Choir, teaching their youngest choristers. Prior to graduate studies, Emily worked as a choir director and arts administrator for several children’s choir programs in the Greater Toronto Area, including the Toronto Children’s Chorus, the Bach Children’s Chorus, Canadian Children’s Opera Company, and Mississauga Children’s Choir.  Emily holds a Bachelor of Music honors specialization in Music Education degree from the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ontario, Canada and has completed her Level 1 Kodály certification. Emily now resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana where she is the Associate Artistic Director of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, and is the director of the Chamber Treble Singers at the Purdue Fort Wayne School of Music. In September 2023, Emily joined the staff of Trinity English Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne as the Director of Children’s Music. (Bird, E., 2024)

Music:
Daley's Dona Nobis Pacem, Choral music conducted by Emily Bird
Debussy's Piano recording by Josiah Lund

Upcoming Shows by Heartland Sings:
Canto de Corazón

•  Plymouth Congregational Church on April 28th at 4 PM 
• YMCA Rennaissance Pointe on May 4th at 2 PM

Night at the Opera 

• Auer Hall Purdue Fort Wayne on May 22nd at 7pm

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings

Today (03/05) we talked with Jonathan Busarow, the choir conductor at Fort Wayne Children's Choir.

Professor Busarow is in frequent demand as a clinician and as a tenor soloist. He has conducted at the American Choral Director’s Association National and Regional Conferences, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, the Indiana Music Educators Association Convention, and the Bach Institute at Valparaiso University. Mr. Busarow serves as the Reading Session Chair for the American Choral Directors Association Central Division Conference. In 2015, he received the Arts United Award as the Emerging Leader. Valparaiso University awarded him the Distinguished Decade Award in 2018. He lives in Fort Wayne with his wife, Nicole, and their children, Simon, Matthias,Timothy, and Daniel.

____

Coming events by Heartland Sings - Free!
Canto de Corazón Community Choir 
Sunday 04/28 at 4pm - Plymouth Congregational Church 
Saturday 05/04 at 2pm - YMCA Renaissance Pointe 

INVEST IN OUR MISSION

Misión:
Heartland Sings inspira a personas de todas las edades y habilidades a través de experiencias culturales y de entretenimiento, con programas educativos y vinculación con la comunidad. Heartland Sings está cambiando vidas a través de la canción.
Vision:
Heartland Sings is a mission-driven performing arts institution that fosters an appreciation for the vocal arts, inspiring audiences and artists through exceptional cultural and entertainment experiences, educational programs, and community outreach.

Links and Social Media:
Heartland Sings.org
Instagram
YouTube
Host: Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor

Donate to Heartland Sings