Music is a weapon of war: Rhythm organizes a soldier's training; song defines an army's morale and camaraderie; Metallica can help prepare a soldier for battle; the fallen are remembered with the playing of Taps. Though it can easily be co-opted to serve a political or ideological message, music is equally a vehicle for reflection, engagement, and emotional connection, as is seen in David T. Little's gripping music-theatre work, Soldier Songs.

Steve Smith of Time Out New York (2008) wrote David T. Little pursues musical activism through superior firepowerTo say that [he] is having a banner season is something of an understatement, and, Alex Ross of The New Yorker says that every bad-ass new-music ensemble in the city will want to play him