Franz-Josef Göcke was born in 1948 in Borghorst, Cou nty Steinfurt, Germany. He grew up in Altenberge and later became a professional soldier. He is now retired with the rank of staff sergeant.
As a child he studied trumpet, percussion, saxophone and electronic keyboard. His trumpet teacher was Herr Mühlenbeck of the Altenberg Fire Department Band. He played percussion for many years in a six-person dance and showband, "The Early Birds." Then he played flugelhorn in various bands, including in the military. In the past 25 years he has developed a fanfare procession into a band. As a conductor he is mostly self-taught. From 1990 to 1999 he directed a wind ensemble in Stromberg and cofounded in 1997 a wind ensemble in Dolberg, which has become an institution in village life. Also in the military he was able to keep alive a parade band alive from 1980 -1992 ( until his home battallian was dissolved) Today, in his free time, in addition to conducting the Dolberg Wind Ensemble, he teaches its next generation of players. He now composes for wind ensemble, a result of his search for easier music for young players. These compositions he is happy to share with you. Music has been for him since childhood a gripping passion without which he could not breathe.
