Music On the Hill Presents: In the Trenches

Music On the Hill Presents...

August 2, 2019, 12:00 p.m.

St. John XXIII Parish: St. Mary site

551 Johnson St.

Port Washington, WI 53074

Organist Tim Handle will by performing music written by soldiers on the other side of the wars.

Ernst Brockmann was a young man who served in the German army during the First World War. His music was rediscovered by British musicians Patricia Hammond and Matt Redman. When she researched the music she came across and was able to contact his nephew, Paul Brockmann, who is now 96 years old. Paul was conscripted into the German army, losing both legs during the German offensive into Russia during the 2^nd World War. Both Ernst and Paul composed for the organ, and more than anything simply wanted to write and perform music. Ernst Brockmann was a very talented young man, on track to becoming a cathedral organist and composer when he was drafted into service instead of enrolling into music school. While sitting in the trenches on the front line he would write in his journal, “If I could just sit at a big organ! Melodies, melodies, and harmonies; unknown, unimaginable, whiz through my head! I have vowed God to devote my power to religious, serious music."

Freewill donations accepted