Here, Bullet

From Poem to Art Song to Short Film to Outreach

Here, Bullet occupies a unique space in the art song repertoire.

In 2004 renowned poet/author Brian Turner returned from a tour of duty in the Iraq War and penned his firsthand poetic descriptions in a book that has become an instant classic of its genre. In 2018, I took four of the poems and fashioned them into an 18-minute song set written for 30 baritones during the Covid shortened 2019-2020 season.

The work traces a narrative arc that takes us from a place of trauma to a state of wonder and acceptance.

Here, Bullet won First Prize in the 2020 NATS Art Song Composition Competition, received performances throughout North America, features in print and online media, podcasts interviews, performed at 9/11 commemorative ceremonies, performed on master’s and doctorate recitals, and served as the subject of a recently published doctoral dissertation titled A Performance Guide to Kurt Erickson’s Here, Bullet. Recent international performances have taken place at Deutsche Oper Berlin (baritone Thomas Lehman and pianist John Parr) and at Scotland’s St Andrews University.

Here, Bullet is currently being made into a short film by Tony-nominated actor/director Will Chase. The soundtrack was recently recorded at New York’s Power Station in a version created for the Sybarite5 string ensemble - shooting will begin Spring 2025.

Perhaps most satisfying, the Here, Bullet creative team will work alongside clinicians and mental health professionals, using the work in 3-month arts therapy programs as a vehicle for helping veterans struggling with PTSD and trauma. Partner organizations include: San Francisco VA Medical Center, Concord Vet Center, and Solano Vet Center Outstation.

Here, Bullet addresses important social issues that affect us all: PTSD, gun violence, and amplifying the voice of the veteran experience. The songs find moments of beauty and vulnerability in the midst of the chaos of armed conflict. Our hope is that singers of all voice types and experiences will perform the work and find ways to engage in these often difficult but necessary conversations.

Movement 1. Here, Bullet

Omari Tau, baritone - Kurt Erickson, piano

Movement 2. Eulogy

Randall Scarlata, baritone - Donna Loewy, piano

Movement 3. A Soldier’s Arabic

Joel David Balzun, baritone - Kevin Garnica, piano

Movement 4. A Soldier’s Arabic

Heidi Moss Erickson, soprano, Paul Schrage, piano

PAST PERFORMANCES

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