A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF LOSS, GRIEF, & HOPE
Brett McCutcheon, unveiled his deeply moving project, The Ocean – Five Years on September 30, 2023.
It is a unique collection of pop songs with symphonic orchestration that takes listeners on an emotional journey through the stages of grief, offering solace and understanding to those navigating the complexities of loss. The story behind the music is the inspiration and centerpiece of a documentary short film set to release in 2025.
On the night of September 30, 2017, Brett McCutcheon’s life changed forever. His older brother Ryan was tragically killed in a car accident. Just teenagers, the brothers shared an irreplaceable bond. Brett only spoke of his loss with a few close friends, but knew he needed to connect with his feelings. Instead of silently suffering, he began composing with his friend, June Bracken. The Ocean was born. Three songs analogous with the depths, A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF LOSS, GRIEF, & HOPE tumult and complexity of the sea, The Ocean spoke of the loss, grief and loneliness that engulfed his life. The music was released. Brett finished high school and went off to college. His grief never far from his view, his brother always present in the shadows.
Five years later, Brett no longer a teenager but a senior in college realizes his journey mirrors that of millions of kids who have experienced great loss. The Ocean – Five Years is that story. Built around the revised composition of the original release, it explores deeper meaning and understanding.
Still centered around June Bracken’s vocal performance, the new music now includes symphonic performances by musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and also features NBC’s The Voice Finalist, Chris Jamison. The Album moves through the crippling dependency of living through loss, to finding life among those that grieve, to knowing everything was always going to be okay.
The Ocean – Five Years is more than just an album. It is a testament to the universal nature of grief and the need for greater understanding and support. By sharing his personal story through music, Brett hopes to ignite a compassionate dialogue that fosters empathy and assistance for young individuals navigating the tumultuous seas of loss.
This project is intended to raise awareness and support for The Ryan McCutcheon Rhythm19 Fund at The Pittsburgh Foundation. In addition, Brett has partnered with The Highmark Caring Place and WQED to use the music and the documentary as inspiration, content and support to children and young adults facing their own grief journey.
Documentary Short Film
Following the release of the music, the McCutcheon family teamed with Flying Scooter Productions to tell share Brett’s story in the form of a documentary short film. Under the creative direction of Jennifer Schlieper, the film delves into the complex and often overwhelming journey of grief, as seen through Brett’s eyes as a young composer whose life was irrevocably changed by the sudden loss of his older brother, Ryan. The film has received international recognition at numerous film festivals and is set to release in 2025, with the hopes of raising awareness about the unique and complex nature of child grief.
