A Commission → An Album → A Tour → A Gift

A STORY THAT BEGAN WITH A SKETCHBOOK

Francis Xavier Hennessy served as a forward observer with the U.S. 30th Infantry Division. He came home from World War II with a sketchbook and memories he rarely spoke of. His grandson, Colorado composer Sean Schafer Hennessy, turned that journey into Sketches of Courage: a work involving live brass ensemble, narration, original drawings, and historical imagery. Francis's sketches reveal what military records alone cannot: the people he noticed, the humanity he held onto, and the experiences that stayed with him long after the war.

WE WENT BACK

In September 2026, Sean and Denver Brass principal trumpet David Artley retraced Francis’s path through France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. They met civic leaders, educators, historians, and memorial institutions. Throughout the route, they were met with open arms, a strong interest in welcoming the music, and a genuine desire to shape events with local communities.

Our current tour window is June 15–30, 2027.

Our journey will roughly follow the path of the 30th Infantry Division, “Old Hickory”, of which Francis X. Hennessy II was a member.
Paris → Saint-Lô → Mortain → Maastricht → Malmedy →Bastogne → Weimar/Buchenwald → Farsleben/Wolmirstedt → Berlin

Denver Brass plans to return with approximately 14 professional musicians and artists from Colorado. Each performance will be a gift to its host community; Denver Brass will receive no ticket revenue. Local partners can make the concert free to attend or use it to raise funds for a cause important to them.

Why Support this Project?

This is more than a tour, more than a recording, more than notes on a page, and more than a performance. This is about remembering our shared history and the lessons we have learned from it. That the events of World War II are more than just stories living in our history textbooks, but are cold and horrifying facts tied to the worst reality endured by many. And yet, Sketches of Courage is more than a piece about WWII. The struggles that Frank X Hennessy went through when the war ended are not unique to him, or to those of the Greatest Generation. One patron came up to conductor Warren Deck after a performance and shared that as an Afghanistan veteran, "This is my story, too."

"My hope is that listeners not only hear the echoes of history, but also feel the weight of memory, sacrifice, and unspoken pain that so many service members carry--and that, in doing so, they gain a deeper appreciation for the courage it takes to serve, survive, and carry on," says composer Sean Schafer Hennessy.

"A record. A warning. A gift." That was what Sean found in his grandfather's sketchbook. It is what Denver Brass has found in this work. And it is something we must share with the world.

About Sketches of Courage Photo of Frank X Hennessy II

Sketches of Courage, by our trumpeter and composer-in-residence Sean Schafer Hennessy, is a powerful original commission by Denver Brass which premiered in May 2025. Every generation carries stories from those who came before. For Sean Schafer Hennessy, those stories came in the form of a sketchbook created by his grandfather, Francis Xavier Hennessy II, a WWII forward observer who saw combat from Normandy to Germany, and witnessed the concentration camps such as Buchenwald. He observed trauma that few of us can imagine. But he didn’t speak of it. Instead, he sketched. Sean transforms those ink-lined memories into sound. Through Sketches of Courage, we feel the tension of life on the front lines, the fragility of humanity, and the weight of silence that many veterans carry. It is music born not just from history, but from grief, love, and a longing to understand someone we’ve lost. This multi-movement work evolved from a 5-minute concept to a full-fledged symphony for brass with narration and multimedia components. The work touches on the impact and weight of war and the cost of freedom. This story is told through two kinds of images: the photographs taken in the moment by members of the 30th Infantry Division, and the sketches Frank made when the moments were too heavy to speak aloud.

The European Tour

In June 2027, the Denver Brass will embark on one of the most meaningful artistic journeys in our organization’s 46-year history: a European tour tracing the path of the legendary 30th Infantry “Old Hickory” Division through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany during World War II.

This approximately two-week tour will begin in Paris, France, and conclude in Berlin, Germany. Along the way, Denver Brass will present performances, commemorations, and cultural exchanges centered around our original production, Sketches of Courage, at no cost to the communities.

The Recording Project Pen/Pencil sketch of soldiers crawling with plane overhead by F. Hennessy. Titled "Mistake"

There are moments in an ensemble’s life when everything converges—mission, artistry, history, and vision. For Denver Brass, recording Sketches of Courage is one of those moments.

This new album is more than a collection of pieces. It’s a statement of who we are: an American brass ensemble rooted in storytelling, shaped by 45 years of innovation, and a commitment to pushing our art form forward. At its core is Sketches of Courage by Sean Schafer Hennessy—a work that captures the human cost, sacrifice, and resilience woven into our shared history. This album is centered on a distinctly American voice—bold, expansive, and deeply human. It’s patriotism, yes—but not confined to marches or nostalgia. This is a broader, more nuanced expression of what it means to reflect on our past and imagine our future.

The repertoire reflects that vision:

Sketches of Courage – Sean Schafer Hennessy
Known but to God – Sean Schafer Hennessy
Overture for a New Day – Andrew Wolfe
Fanfare for the Common Man – Aaron Copland
Fanfare for the Brave – Andrew Wolfe
They Gave All – Andrew Wolfe

Together, these works form a narrative arc—honoring sacrifice, celebrating resilience, and pointing toward hope. We've hired multiple Grammy winners Elaine Martone, Recording Producer, and Robert Friedrich, Recording Engineer, to guide us on this project. Denver Brass signed with Sono Luminus for the album release. The goal is to put this album and piece in front of the Recording Academy.

Photo of Elaine Martone receiving her 7th Grammy Award. She is wearing a silver sequined jumpsuit, and has short light hair.

Our Costs

Following a successful scouting trip by two members of the organization, we have started to secure dates, venues, and performance locations. We will be bringing a team of 18 to Europe, for approximately 2 weeks, with 9 concerts across 4 countries.

Here's the cost breakdown:

Total Tour Expenses: $258,000
Travel & Lodging: $140,875
Airfare: $45,600
Additional baggage and oversized instrument fees could add another: $5,000+
Lodging: $28,275
Meals & Incidental Expenses: $41,250
Ground Transportation: $15,000
Cartage, Cargo/Equipment Transportation: $10,750

Concert Expenses, 9 Estimated Performances: $67,600
Concert Wages for Musicians & Narrator: $25,200
Venue Expenses: $13,500
Production Expenses, including Audio Engineers: $5,400
Marketing Expenses, including Photographers & Videographers: $23,500

Fundraising/Administrative Expenses: $49,525

Total Album Recording Expenses: $62,000
This covers Denver Brass musicians, recording personnel, venue fees, and a rough estimate for mastering and release.

ALL-IN, this project will cost a total of $320,000.

We are actively writing grants and seeking corporate support. Our board of directors has made a pledge of support to the project as well.

About The Denver Brass

Mission Statement

The Denver Brass, Inc. is dedicated to bringing the highest quality of brass performance and literature to a diverse and expanding audience in the seven-county region, the state of Colorado, the United States and the world; educating audiences in regard to musical styles and the art of brass playing; educating brass musicians in technical and musical skills; and contributing to new brass literature through commissions and publication. The Denver Brass is committed to reaching diverse and new audiences through creative programming, innovative marketing, and outreach programs to children, elderly, disabled and all under-served populations.

Our History

The Denver Brass, Inc. was formed in 1981 by Kathy and Chuck Brantigan, who shared a vision to create an all new, one-of-a-kind chamber ensemble which would be in the forefront of performance, entertainment, commissions and education. Unique in the world as one of only a few professional large brass ensembles, The Denver Brass has set itself apart through its sound, repertoire, and concert productions. The trademark sound of The Denver Brass features an array of more than 13 distinct brass instruments, utilizing mutes and technical expertise to produce an entirely new sound – not a band, not an orchestra, but a creation unique unto itself. Today, The Denver Brass is an elite ensemble recognized throughout the U.S. and the world as one of the premier ensembles of its kind – setting itself apart through its sound, original repertoire, recordings and concert productions. With 14 world-class musicians, The Denver Brass performs its own original compositions and arrangements and reaches 30,000+ persons annually through more than 140 concerts and outreach services. The ensemble has more than 32 recordings and is heard daily on radio stations throughout the world. Learn more at denverbrass.org.

Journey of Courage: Remembrance Tour

Not Just a European Tour - A Gift