"Thank You!"- A Military Tribute

"Thank You!" - A Military Tribute With television cameras and microphones in place, the House and Senate chambers packed, and all of America standing at attention, President Geor

"Thank You!" - A Military Tribute

            With television cameras and microphones in place, the House and Senate chambers packed, and all of America standing at attention, President George W. Bush stepped to the podium to deliver his 2004 State of the Union Address to a nation at war.  Far away from Washington on that cold winter night, a young Minnesota girl watched from the living room of her family's home. 

            During the course of his speech, President Bush presented a challenge that made a deep impression upon then, thirteen year-old Emily Custer of East Grand Forks, Minnesota.  Speaking to young people in regards to what they can do for their country, he said, "When you or your friends see a man or woman in uniform, say, ‘Thank you.'"  During the days that followed, the impression made by those words turned to inspiration for the young teenage girl.

            Emily states it this way: "I have always been patriotic.  I was raised to be grateful for what I've been given.  When I heard the President's Address, I decided to use my gift for composing music to come up with a song that would honor military personnel- past, present, and future- from all branches of the service.  I wanted to show my appreciation to those who risk their lives to protect the privileges and freedoms I enjoy everyday!"           It wasn't long before the lyrics for "Thank You!" were written, and then began Emily's quest to compose music that would touch the heart.  Coming from an accomplished musical family (Besides everyone being singers, among her three older brothers, the Custer clan is blessed with a violinist, a trumpet player, a saxophonist, two composers/arrangers, as well as three pianists.) it seemed quite natural  for her to take on a project of this sort. 

             Having begun piano lessons at four, and adding violin and voice instruction over the next few years, she soon discovered her ‘bent' toward composing.  "By five years old, Emily was singing harmonies with any song, always switching from part to part," Grace Custer, Emily's mother relates.  "As an adult, it was rather humbling for me to play a simple little song on the piano and have my, then six year old daughter proceed to add an intricate obbligato part, totally ‘on the fly'!  Young Emily did not begin writing down the tunes she composed until she was in third grade."

            It was at that time that one of her brothers enrolled in a series of music composition workshops for junior high and high school students, sponsored by their local symphony.  When Emily heard about the classes, she begged to tag along.  She soon became a very enthusiastic, productive member of the group, signaling the point at which she also began entering and winning composition contests sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) over the next few years.  

            "When I set out to compose the music for ‘Thank You!', I knew it had to be different from anything I had done up to that point."  Emily states.  "While the words demanded a bigger more dynamic sound, it needed a certain sensitivity to it, too.  It began as a choral piece, but with advice from a composer/mentor friend of mine, I changed it to a vocal solo accompanied by string orchestra, piano and several wind instruments."

            Over the summer months, while peers were playing outside or "hanging out with friends" Emily, 13, spent long hours at home in front of her keyboard and computer program writing music that challenged her abilities more than anything she had ever before composed.  "I prayed a lot about this piece and sometimes I even shed a few tears."  Emily admits.   

            With the decision to enter the song in an upcoming contest, came the realization that a recording was one of the requirements.  Emily's brothers and several of her friends, all excellent musicians in their own right, were happy to offer their services.  However, as the January deadline approached, her mother began a phone campaign, of sorts, asking for more volunteers willing to assemble on a Saturday morning for a recording session.

             "I am grateful to this day for the unselfish spirit so many people extended to us,"  Emily's mother relates.  "As members of our city's symphony, they were all accomplished players, several of whom we had never even met before that day. Everyone was just excited to encourage a budding young musician!  Particularly, I will never forget the kindness of the oboist who drove 75 miles, one way, in near blizzard conditions, because she ‘remembered composing a piece as a young teenager and knew the importance of support.'"  

           

            ‘Thank You!' has won contest awards at the state, regional, and national levels.  In his critique of her work, Dr. David A. Karp, Professor of Music at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, wrote, "It is a beautiful expression of Emily's gratefulness and demonstrates imagination and creativity as well as extraordinary musical expertise for a young student."

            While she appreciates the recognition, the greatest sense of satisfaction Emily Custer receives comes from singing her song for those for whom it was written.  In addition to performing in many local and regional venues, she has sent many copies of her recording around the world to deployed servicemen and women.  Some of her live performances have included the following: Veterans Day celebrations; the "Day of the Deployed" commemoration, sponsored by Soldiers' Angels; "Talking with Heroes"; Welcome Home/Purple Heart ceremonies for returning soldiers; the North Dakota National Guard's 1-188^th Memorial March honoring ND National Guardsmen killed in action; and most recently, 9/11 events honoring Military Personnel at the International Peace Garden in Dunseith, North Dakota.  A special highlight for the teen was receiving her first standing ovation after her performance at the Grand Forks Air Force Base Military Ball in September of 2005.

             The impact of the words and music to ‘Thank You!' has been multiplied by the efforts of a family friend who put it into DVD format, complete with patriotic images and photos representing all branches of the service.  The entire video presentation can be viewed on YouTube, and on her website: http://www.emilycuster.com/  

            The chorus of Emily's song (copyrighted and reprinted here with permission) goes like this:

            "Thank you, I just want to say thank you/ You sacrificed, you paid the price,

‘cause freedom is not free. / For the pain and tears across the years of our nation's

history, / From my heart I say thank you for the gift of liberty."

            The song touches people. After her performance at the "Day of the Deployed" commemoration in October of 2006, the local newspaper reported:  "Some individuals were wiping tears away or were sniffling as they exited the auditorium.  The angelic voice of Emily Custer ... concluded the two-hour event with a video montage to the song "Thank You!" which she wrote."

            Emily, now 18, sums it up best: "I believe freedom is a very precious, though fragile commodity.  Whenever I read newspaper accounts about veterans who have been wounded or hear of servicemen or women who have died in action, I am reminded that someone paid a dear price for the way of life I enjoy.  Even though I am still a teenager, I do not ever want to take this privilege for granted.  The least I can do is say, ‘Thank You!'"

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