Amplifying the Voice of the Invisible Veteran

They are the invisible among us, and they are hurting. 

US armed service veterans hail from all walks of life, often drawn to the Armed Forces as a way to escape challenging life circumstances and create a new identity.

We walk past them in the street, in stores, and in our churches. In academic settings, they are our students and our colleagues. They do what they’re called to do and are then forgotten.

For their service, they are at higher risk for traumatic brain injury, PTSD, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and even suicide.

Their stories need to be told.

Here, Bullet for baritone and piano sets to music first person poetic descriptions of the Iraq War from renowned poet and veteran Brian Turner. The song set won First Prize in the 2020 NATS Art Song Composition Competition, has been performed throughout North America and Europe, featured in print media and podcasts interviews, performed at 9/11 tribute ceremonies, performed in partial fulfillment for both master’s and doctorate recitals, and has served as the subject of a recently published doctoral dissertation titled A Performance Guide to Kurt Erickson’s Here, Bullet. Commercial recordings and videos are forthcoming.

The classical music world developed a conscience during the pandemic. Performing powerful new works that embrace the culture and issues in which we live is now and should always be the norm. 

Learn more and honor these invisible heroes. Program and perform Here, Bullet for baritone and piano, and reach out to composer Kurt Erickson for additional collaboration ideas.

RESOURCES

https://www.vetcenter.va.gov
US Department of Veterans Affairs

https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/
Veterans Mental Health Services