Cole Porter Concert Draws More Than 300

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — More than 300 people gathered at Plymouth Congregational Church in downtown Fort Wayne July 23 for a special concert led by Maestro Robert Nance celebrating the music of Cole Porter and revisiting a historic 1923 Paris program.

The concert featured a full orchestra and principal artists from Heartland Sings performing Darius Milhaud’s The Creation of the World and Porter’s Within the Quota. The two works premiered on the same program in Paris in 1923, giving the Fort Wayne audience an opportunity to experience a musical pairing first heard more than a century ago.

The program also featured some of Porter’s most memorable songs performed by Heartland Sings principal artists. Born in Peru, Indiana, Porter became one of America’s most celebrated composers and songwriters.

“More than 300 people came together to experience music that crossed generations, geography and more than a century of history,” Nance said. “It was a wonderful reminder of what is possible when we invest in artists and create opportunities for people to experience great music together.”

The concert was presented in conjunction with the International Convention of Mu Phi Epsilon, an international professional music fraternity. Many convention attendees were in the audience, and the evening concluded with Mu Phi Epsilon members joining together to sing their fraternity song.

“It was a fitting way to end the evening,” Nance said. “Music has this remarkable ability to bring people together. We had professional artists on the stage, Mu Phi Epsilon members gathered in Fort Wayne and members of our community all sharing an experience that could only happen in that moment.”

For Nance, the concert also highlighted the caliber of professional musicians and vocal artists who live and work in Northeast Indiana. Throughout his career, he has advocated for greater investment in professional artists and the role the arts play in building vibrant communities.

“Great cities need great artists,” Nance said. “When professional musicians have opportunities to create, perform and build their lives here, the entire community benefits. Nights like this show the caliber of artistry that exists in Fort Wayne and what we can accomplish when that talent is supported.”

The free concert was sponsored by Plymouth Music Series and the Maestro Nance Charitable Fund and presented in memory of Patricia Mae Adsit.