Musician Benny Harrison shares his thoughts about the Voices of Valor Program.
Photo courtesy of Benny Harrison’s Facebook
Starting Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, Harrison will be assisting student veterans explore a creative part of their soul through the Voices of Valor Program which will be held at Montclair State University.
“There will be two musical instructors involved in the program,” said Montclair State Veteran Adviser and Retention Specialist Mahfuza Kochi. “At this point, there are seven students participating in the program.”
Musician Julio Fernandez with student veterans from 2015’s Voices of Valor Program.
Photo courtesy of Voices of Valor Program
While developing a sense of trust and good communication amongst student veterans, Benny Harrison describes the Voices of Valor program as a form of musical, conversational therapy. Harrison helps write the music and provides song concepts. He provides assistance with the melody and ensures that everyone’s voice is heard.
Harrison described the process of transforming military experiences to song lyrics.
“We spend nine weeks together with meditation, [lively] discussions, and selecting a genre of music to play,” Harrison said. “Every song has a different genre from rap to country since the veterans’ dictate where it is going to go. If everyone agrees on an idea, then I will play the rhythm with my instruments, move forward to record the track, and download it onto a CD for all to enjoy.”
Musician and Voices of Valor facilitator Julio Fernandez, who has worked with Harrison for thirty years, praised Harrison’s musical abilities.
“Benny is a very talented musician and has been a prominent figure in the New York music scene for quite some time,” Fernandez said. “His love for music shows in his passionate performances.”
Julio Fernandez with Benny Harrison on keyboard at Church Square Park in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Photo courtesy of Julio Fernandez
Harrison was born in Harlem, New York, but moved to Clark, New Jersey when he was three years old. Harrison has always been a performer. He was actively involved in his high school’s drama and music club. In 1972, Harrison earned his BFA in music and drama with a minor in English. He is currently a songwriter, vocalist and musician.
He has even collaborated with artists such as Kristen Chenoweth from Broadway’s “Wicked”, “Super Freak” singer Rick James, Slash from the band “Guns and Roses” and Nick Jonas.
One of Harrison’s goals is to facilitate a muse for veterans that will allow them to become better people. He also was inspired to be a part of the Voices of Valor Program by his deceased uncle, Manuel Gonzalez, a retired Airforce Master Sergeant who served in the Korean War.
“Whenever [Gonzalez] would come home, he was a rock star because he was an amazing Airman,” Harrison said. “Unfortunately, he had a hard time adjusting to civilian life and turned to alcoholism followed by a stroke. If he would have known about this program, he would have loved the camaraderie and structure.”
Artistic director Rena Fruchter and her husband executive director Brian Dallow co-founded the Voices of Valor Program in 2011. With no musical background required, this unique opportunity helps ease the transition from military to civilian life by creating a song. The program will commence in October with eight to nine weekly meetings on campus, recording time in a professional studio and an album release party.
“We knew it was a good idea but didn’t realize how powerful it was going to be,” said Voices of Valor co-founder and artistic director Rena Fruchter. “What veterans say can make a difference to the population and other veterans. It is a chance for people to acknowledge their struggles throughout their service and now.”
Fruchter said that Voices of Valor is a program of the parent organization of “Music for All Seasons.” She and her husband started the organization in 1991, and a roster of 60 professional musicians continues to perform in small ensembles in prisons, hospitals, juvenile detention centers and domestic violence centers in five states—New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and California.
Whenever the program ends, Benny Harrison develops strong bonds with the veterans, making it difficult to leave. As Voices of Valor concludes, veterans walk away with more self-confidence and strength than when they entered. Harrison carries with him the memory of his beloved uncle and what each veteran has taught him.
