For the first time, Bud Minerich of Austin listened to music composed by his father, written over 80 years ago.

Thanks to the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra, Minerich and his family were able to listen to John Minerich’s (Bud’s given name is John, too) composition, “Go Forward, Marching,” during the Minnesota Croatian Cultural Society’s Christmas party on Saturday in St. Paul.

“It was wonderful,” said Bud. “Really, really great.”

When he heard the music, “it was far more than I ever expected,” he said.

The music, written and arranged for six instruments, was found among family belongings over the years. Bud lost his father when Bud was 14 years old and never recalls hearing the composition.

Today, at 93 years of age, he is more curious than ever about how his father, a Croatian immigrant who worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines, learned to write and play music. He knew his father played in Croatian bands — that much he recalls — but that is all he knows.

His father died of an appendix rupture when he was in his late 30s.

Bud said he is determined to find out more, if he can.

“Everyone seemed to like the music,” he said of the crowd at the party.

For Bud, it not only meant learning something new about his dad, but a reacquaintance with Croatian music.

“I moved around the country and it had been a long, long time since I had heard that type of music. Oh, it was fantastic.

“It really brought back a lot of memories.”