On May 11, the Nebraska Medical Orchestra debuted a new musical composition written by one of its own.
"Distant Reality" is a tribute to health care workers composed by first-year internal medicine resident Nick Yeutter, MD.
Dr. Yeutter, who has a master’s degree in music composition from New York University and plays clarinet in the orchestra, wanted to recognize health care workers through a musical composition.
"This has been an unprecedented time," said Dr. Yeutter. "'Distant Reality' is the best way I could recognize those frontline workers. It was also a great opportunity to bridge my two lifelong passions and careers: medicine and music."
As a fourth-year medical student in the beginning of the pandemic and later as a resident, Dr. Yeutter saw firsthand the utter fatigue and exhaustion of health care workers.
"It was very eye–opening. It gave me a good perspective on what I would be getting into as a hospitalist down the road," he said.
But it was during the recent COVID-19 Omicron and Delta variant surges that it began to feel like there was seemingly no light at the end of tunnel, Dr. Yeutter said.
That’s when Matthew Brooks, the director of the Nebraska Medical Orchestra, approached Dr. Yeutter and asked him about composing a piece.
"The bones of this piece were written pre-COVID from my composition sketch journal," Dr. Yeutter said. "I got the opportunity to flesh this out during the pandemic."
Originally written for string quartet, Dr. Yeutter said he expanded the piece for full orchestra. It is an expressive, evocative piece, and Dr. Yeutter hopes it will prompt reflection on the pandemic and hope for the future.
"There is a swell toward the end that symbolizes reaching the light at the end of tunnel," he said.
Matthew Brooks, DMA, conductor of the orchestra, said he was pleased with the opportunity to highlight Dr. Yeutter's talents.
"Nick is a valued part of the Nebraska Medical Orchestra, and I'm always excited to highlight the talents of our members," he said. "I’m always impressed with our talented musicians — who are also talented health professionals or pre-professionals in health sciences. Nick is no different. His composition is of a professional-level, his rehearsal input was thoughtful, and he’s just a warm, approachable person. Knowing the research on how being involved in the arts can improve certain provider skills and traits, I’m certain our community is lucky to interact with Dr. Yeutter in the clinic, as well.
"Speaking as an orchestral conductor, it is always so exciting to work with a living composer when the majority of our standard repertoire is from hundreds of years ago," Dr. Brooks said. "For the musicians, it is also a treat to be able to interact directly with the composer about their individual parts. The energy of rehearsals is often heightened a bit when the composer is standing in the room, listening and watching. Not only does it create the opportunity for a lot of learning in the room, it is just a fun experience."