On the proposal of the former Minister-President of Saarland, Tobias Hans, the Minister-President of Saarland, Anke Rehlinger, presented the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, awarded by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to Hans Georg Schmitt from Eppelborn during a reception at the State Chancellery.
Hans Georg Schmitt worked for RAG from 1980 until his retirement and was simultaneously a tubist and chairman of the Bergkapelle Mitte. In 1995, the Bergkapelle Mitte and Bergkapelle West merged to form the Bergkapelle of Saarbergwerke AG, which still carries the name "Bergkapelle Saar" today. Under his leadership, the two ensembles Bergkapelle and Saarknappenchor have grown increasingly closer to this day. As chairman of the board, he significantly directed the course of the association Bergmusik an der Saar e.V., into which the two departments Bergkapelle Saar and Saarknappenchor were integrated, and in all his decisions he always kept "the bigger picture" in mind.
The honoree has initiated and organized numerous benefit concerts by the Bergkapelle and Saarknappenchor in aid of those in need or charitable organizations. Since the premiere of the major benefit concert in 1990, more than 320,000 euros in donations have been handed over to nonprofit organizations and initiatives. This traditional concert series is thus one of the most successful musical benefit events in Saarland.
In addition, the Bergmusikanten, the folk ensemble of the Bergkapelle Saar, also organize an annual benefit concert in cooperation with the municipality of Eppelborn at the big Eppel Culture and Congress Center in Eppelborn. Hans Georg Schmitt had the idea for the series of benefit concerts by the Bergmusikanten at the big Eppel in Eppelborn. He has consistently pursued this goal, found the right partners, and initiated a successful series of benefit concerts. In 2003, the Bergmusikanten presented their first folk CD “Glückauf ist unser Bergmannsgruß” as part of a benefit concert at the big Eppel in Eppelborn. Last year marked the 18th benefit concert of the Bergmusikanten of the Bergkapelle Saar in Eppelborn. So far, around 60,000 euros have been donated to charitable organizations and non-profit institutions, mostly within the municipality of Eppelborn.
Andreas Feld, mayor of Eppelborn, congratulated Hans Georg Schmitt on this special award. "His social commitment has made him particularly worthy of this honor," said the mayor.
