Voices of Service Move America’s Got Talent Audience With Powerful Rendition of Katy Perry’s “Rise”

A moving performance of Katy Perry’s “Rise” helped Voices of Service make a lasting impression on America’s Got Talent in 2019. The vocal quartet, made up of active-duty and retired U.S. military personnel, combined powerful voices and tightly blended harmonies to deliver a message of resilience, healing and hope.

Their Season 14 audition earned a standing ovation and four unanimous “Yes” votes from the judges, sending the group through to the next stage of the competition.

A Four-Part Harmony That Captivated the Judges

Voices of Service comprises four members: Master Sgt. Caleb Green, Staff Sgt. Ron Henry, Sgt. Maj. Christal Rheams and Sergeant First Class Jason Hanna.

For their audition, the quartet performed a four-part harmony arrangement of Katy Perry’s hit song “Rise.” Their rendition brought a new emotional dimension to the song, with each voice contributing to a unified and moving performance.

The audience responded enthusiastically, rising to their feet as the group reached the emotional heights of the arrangement. The judges were equally impressed, particularly Simon Cowell, who praised the performance as “EXACTLY what the world needs right now.”

Cowell’s reaction reflected the broader impact of the audition: the quartet had delivered more than a technically accomplished vocal performance. Their voices and the song’s message combined to create a moment that resonated with the audience.

Alongside Cowell, judges Julianne Hough, Gabrielle Union and Howie Mandel all voted “Yes,” giving Voices of Service the unanimous approval needed to advance in the competition.

Using Music to Support Military Personnel and Veterans

Behind the quartet’s performance was a mission that extended well beyond the television stage.

Voices of Service is affiliated with the Virginia-based nonprofit Center for American Military Music Opportunities (CAMMO). The organization uses music as a form of therapy and support for service members, veterans and others facing difficult life circumstances.

Its work includes helping people coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries. Through music, the group seeks to encourage healing, strengthen resilience and offer hope to those navigating personal challenges.

That mission gave the quartet’s America’s Got Talent audition an added layer of meaning. Their performance of “Rise” reflected the same themes of perseverance and overcoming adversity that underpin their work with the military community.

Rather than simply showcasing their vocal abilities, the four performers used a major television platform to draw attention to the potential of music to bring people together and support those who have faced hardship.

Voices of Service Reach the Top 10 Finals

The quartet’s success did not end with its audition. Voices of Service continued to impress throughout the 2019 competition, earning a place among the Top 10 finalists.

One of their subsequent performances featured “Choke” by OneRepublic during the semifinals, demonstrating the group’s ability to bring its distinctive vocal style to another song.

Their journey to the finals established Voices of Service as one of the season’s memorable musical acts. Their performances combined vocal precision with a purpose rooted in service, recovery and encouragement.

Although the competition provided a national stage for their talent, the group’s underlying mission remained central to its identity: using music to help people find strength and hope through difficult experiences.

The 2019 audition remains a defining example of how a song, delivered with sincerity and powerful harmonies, can move an audience while carrying a message that reaches far beyond the stage.