Composer and Corvette enthusiast William Owens was born in Gary, Indiana in 1963. He graduated from Chicago’s VanderCook College of Music, and served as a band director in Texas until his retirement in 2014. He remains active as a clinician throughout the United States and Canada. He has also been extremely active as a composer since 1993, during which time he has written over 150 pieces and received several awards and commissions for his work. See more about him at Alfred Music, FJH Music, and the Wind Repertory Project.

Owens recounts the tragic story that led to With Valor and Brave Heart in his program notes in the score:

November 5, 2009 was a day of great tragedy and sadness in our nation’s history. On the military base at Fort Hood [now Fort Cavazos], Texas, just outside the city of Killeen, shots rang out that would be heard around the world. An assailant armed with two handguns fired at soldiers in a crowded medical processing office. The shooting rampage resulted in 30 people injured and 13 mortally wounded. Among those killed were 12 soldiers, 1 of whom was pregnant, and a single Army civilian employee.

Commissioned by the Manor Middle School Band of Killeen, Texas, With Valor and Brave Heart is respectfully dedicated to the victims of and first responders at this terrible attack. The work begins with a gentle statement and a whispering military drum cadence which is heard throughout the piece, then blossoms into a lush hymn-like theme, reflecting on the hopes and aspirations of those fallen. As a further tribute, it seemed quite fitting to incorporate a setting on the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus, as well as a setting of TAPS. The music ends softly with dissonant notes played by muted trumpets against a beautiful final chord, symbolizing the lingering uncertainty and frustration we all carry, as well as the gnawing question of “Why did this happen?”.

The Manor Middle School Band and the community of Killeen request that before performing the piece, a moment of silence be observed in honor of those taken.

Fort Hood Shooting victims of November 5, 2009:

Cahill, Michael G. PA

Caraveo, L. Eduardo Maj.

DeCrow, Justin M. SSgt

Gaffaney, John Cpt

Greene, Frederick SPC

Hunt, Jason D. SPC

Krueger, Amy SSgt

Nemelka, Aaron T. PFC

Pearson, Michael PFC

Seager, Russell Cpt

*Velez, Francheska PFC

Warman, Juanita Lt Col

Xiong, Kham PFC

*PFC Velez was pregnant at the time of her death

Here is With Valor and Brave Heart live:

Here is an organ setting of What a Friend We Have in Jesus:

See more about the piece at J. W. Pepper, FJH Music, Alfred Music, the Wind Repertory Project, and Sheet Music Plus. There are many organizations out there looking to curb gun violence in America, among them Every Town for Gun Safety.