The Heart and Soul of Volga German Life

6:30–7:30 p.m. CT

From heartfelt wedding songs to solemn funeral hymns, Volga Germans in Kansas depended on music to be a lifeline of connection—across generations, and sometimes across oceans—and to mark life’s most sacred movements. In this presentation, Jerry Braun shares the rich musical traditions of the Volga German community and highlights how music shaped the culture as people moved to the Kansas plains from Russia. Through a live vocal performance of traditional folk songs, audience members will discover the heart and soul of Volga German music and the artistry behind instruments like the dulcimer, accordion, dolcette, and harmonica.