Cape Coral man collaborates to create Civil War composition

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

At Peace Lutheran Church last weekend, a group shined light on a story written long ago.

"He comes into the war looking for excitement, but then in the very first action, his unit is decimated," said composer Thomas LaVoy.

LaVoy composed "The Witness," a piece inspired by the Civil War journals of a Union soldier, James Waxler.

Through vocals, keys, and a string quartet, LaVoy and Matt Koller, Artistic Director of "The Mastersingers," and a descendant of Waxler, tell the honest accounts of war.

There's moments where the music is meant to sound like war, there's moments where it creates great tension, and there's moments where it creates levity.

The piece highlights Waxler's hope of what it's like to battle for brotherhood, and his despair in the grim reality.

"I hope that people are able to leave questioning anything. Art should change people. It should make us question who we are. It should make us question our beliefs," said Koller.

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