Support for Young Singers Linda and Jeff Rowand

SUPPORT FOR YOUNG SINGERS: LINDA & JEFF ROWAND

Sweet Adelines donors express appreciation through giving

Soon after Linda and Jeff Rowand moved to Indianapolis, Indiana (USA) in 1980, Linda saw an ad in the newspaper for a Sweet Adelines audition. Jeff encouraged her to try it out. Here’s what happened next:

“I went to my first rehearsal and fell in love,” she said. “I thought, ‘this is exactly what I'm looking for!’ I was determined to come back the next week and know all the music. I was hooked from that first moment!”

Capital City Chorus was hooked on Linda, too. She joined, and she is still a member over 40 years later – and Jeff has volunteered at several SA events. Though the Rowands recently moved to Hawaii (USA), Linda keeps up with her mainland chorus through virtual rehearsals, and that’s not all. Linda had directed a small chorus, Hoosier Hills Chorus, back in Indiana and was co-director of the Central Indiana Youth Barbershop Chorus (CIYBC). The chorus received funds from what was then called the Young Singers Foundation, which is now the Young Singers Fund (YSF).

“This after school chorus was a way for teens to sing barbershop harmony and give them something positive to do after school,” she said. “These teens made a difference in my life, and it was an experience I will never forget.”

When a group of barbershop singers in her new Hawaii home found out Linda was a director, they asked her to help start a chorus. Today, Mele O Kona Chorus, with Linda as director, is currently in Prospective Step II, and though the pandemic has been a challenge, they continue to work toward their SA charter.

The Rowands said Sweet Adelines International has provided them the joy of music, friendship, and support. Remembering her experience with CIYBC, Linda and Jeff want to ensure that the next generation of singers is able to experience the same joy. That’s why they included Sweet Adelines International in their estate planning with a bequest to the Young Singers Fund (YSF). Their bequest will take effect upon their passing. The Rowands hope it will help create opportunities for young singers through the youth programs to which the YSF provides grants.

“When we were updating our wills, we thought about what organizations had the most impact on our lives, and Sweet Adelines came to mind immediately,” said Linda. “My husband pointed out that those of us who aren’t teenagers anymore have had time to build up our finances, so we can help young people have the support to do the things we have been privileged to do for so many years.” The Rowands want to emphasize the ease of the process. They said they met with their attorney with a list of organizations they wanted to include in their will, and she helped them with the necessary documents. Next, they contacted Susan Smith, SA Director of Philanthropy, who documented their gift for the organization. “Susan was extremely helpful explaining everything that we needed to do,” said Linda. “She was very supportive and talked me through it.”

With their bequest, the Rowands will be among the first to be part of the newly-named Nancy Bergman Legacy Society. Linda has met Nancy and said it is an honor to join a society named for her.

“I feel very honored to be a part of the Society and help carry on the legacy of so many Sweet Adelines who have gone before us,” said Linda.

The Rowands hope others will also remember SA in their estate planning.

“The bequest is not taking any money away from us right now that we need to live,” said Linda. “It's not hurting us financially at all. It's something for the future, and as more people are able to do this, we will start to build up ongoing giving to our organization. No matter how small or how large your gift is, it will make an impact. It’s so important for an organization that means so much to all of us.”

In October 2020, during the SA Virtual Convention, International President Joan Boutilier announced the institution of the Nancy Bergman Legacy Society to recognize donors who have contributed to Sweet Adelines International through an estate gift. The society is named to honor the legacy of Nancy Bergman, tenor of 1954 International Champion Quartet, Mississippi Misses, who has worked on behalf of Sweet Adelines in a variety of roles and received the 2002 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 50 years of devoted service to Sweet Adelines International.