Building a community through live music
Musicians with the Phoenix Symphony meet and speak with participants in the Sounds of the Symphony program before a concert. Photo courtesy of the Phoenix Symphony
When veteran Maureen Kilzer returned home from duty, she was having challenges adjusting back to civilian life — until she discovered the symphony through the Veterans Ticket Foundation, or Vet Tix, which provides free or reduced-cost event tickets to military members and veterans.
“When I found out about Vet Tix and began to attend the symphony on a regular basis ... the outlet provided by the weekly concerts at the symphony gave me several hours of freedom from these challenges. It was wonderful," Kilzer said.
“Now that I feel more like a civilian — most of the time — I continue to attend the symphony as often as I can because it brings me joy.”
Researchers from Arizona State University — in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, the Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging and the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation — have launched a partnership with the Phoenix Symphony and Vet Tix to explore how live orchestral music strengthens community ties among veterans, active-duty service members and their families.
The initiative, called Sounds of the Symphony, runs throughout the Phoenix Symphony’s spring 2026 season, giving participants exclusive opportunities to meet symphony musicians before and after designated performances.
These behind-the-scenes conversations offer insights into the history of the music being performed, the rehearsal and preparation process, and the artistry involved in bringing live orchestral works to the stage.
The project, which is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, originated as a pilot in spring 2025 with guest conductor Steve Hackman’s popular “Beethoven X Beyoncé” concert. Since then, more than 100 veterans and their loved ones have taken part.
Participants range from experienced musicians to first-time symphony-goers, but all share a curiosity about the artistic process. Discussions with symphony musicians have proven illuminating for performers, veterans and ASU researchers alike.
“We hope to better understand how these enhanced experiences contribute to social bonding for veterans and their families,” said David W. Coon, ASU Foundation Professor in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation and director of the Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging. “Many participating veterans are active older adults, and this project has special relevance for their social and emotional well-being.”
Co-director Tamara Underiner, from ASU’s School of Music, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute, says the findings will help guide future concert experiences designed specifically for veterans — locally and nationwide. Veterans are invited to join focus groups, and results will be shared with orchestras across the country.
“Veterans and service members come from every walk of life, and so do our musicians,” said Valerie Bontrager, the Phoenix Symphony’s director of education and community engagement. “It’s gratifying to see genuine connections form — sometimes around the music, sometimes far beyond it.”
Want to take part?
Interested veterans and service members can learn more at phxsos.carrd.co.
Upcoming experiences include:
Saturday, April 25: "Shostakovich Symphony No. 5"
Sunday, April 26: "Shostakovich Symphony No. 5"
Saturday, May 16: "Zhang Conducts Prokofiev & Tchaikovsky"
Sunday, May 17: "Zhang Conducts Prokofiev & Tchaikovsky"
Friday, May 29: "Igor: Damn Stravinsky"
Saturday May 30: "Igor: Damn Stravinsky"
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