April 3, 2026
Phoenix Symphony musicians meet Vet Tix participants in the Sounds of the Symphony program before a concert. Photo courtesy of the Phoenix Symphony.
In Wednesday’s (4/1) Arizona State University News, an unbylined article states, “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…. ‘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.”
