Love and Light Brian Balmages

After losing a child at birth in November 2018, 1st Lt. Elizabeth Elliott turned to music to grieve and begin the healing process. In January 2019, she contacted composer Brian Balmages to write a piece of music to help her family, and others, find strength. Lt. Elliott describes her experience with the work, "I know that this piece will help so many families now and into the future. "Love and Light" is for my daughter Madison, but it is also for all the babies in heaven that we lost... Nothing can take away the pain of losing a child, but... time reveals, there is "Love and Light" on the other side."

The dedication on the score reads, "For Madison Elliott, all angel babies, and their parents." The piece is organized in three sections, each answering a question posed by Balmages: What does unconditional love sound like? What does it sound like when unconditional love is shattered? What does it sound like when a child first sees the face of God?

Lt. Elliott conducted The United States Army Band in the world premiere of "Love and Light" by Brian Balmages in concert on February 22 at Schlesinger Hall. Lt. Elliott would like to acknowledge and thank the consortium members that aided in the commission and Col. Andrew Esch for facilitating the premiere.