“Violins of Hope” Event Provides Unique Experience for District String Musicians
For Immediate Release
December 19, 2024
Student musicians and staff check out the collection of instruments on display through “Violins of Hope.”
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – On Friday, December 6, 2024, the District’s Grade 6 through 12 Orchestra program hosted “Violins of Hope.” Held at Washington Township High School’s Republic Bank Performing Arts Center, the event was sponsored by the Esther Raab Holocaust Museum and Goodwin Education Center in Cherry Hill.
Violins of Hope is a project of concerts based on a private collection of violins, violas, and cellos, all collected since the end of World War II. Many of the instruments belonged to Jews before and during the war. Many were donated by or bought from survivors; some arrived through family members and many simply carry the Star of David as decoration. This free, educational outreach program delves into the history of each violin presented, how the instruments were restored, and how each one tells a story about its journey. Using a mix of videos, as well as personal testimony from the son of a survivor of the Holocaust, students were able to fully connect this dark part of our world's history with the power of music. At the end of the presentation, students were invited to experience and play the instruments, further connecting the students to history.
Liz Aldrich, orchestra director at Orchard Valley Middle School, as well as Bells and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools, organized the event for our district.
“The Violins of Hope program was amazing and such a unique experience for our string students,” Aldrich said. “We learned how being a musician literally saved the lives of some people in concentration camps. We also learned how painful it was for some people; so much that they never wanted to touch their violins again after the war. Overall, it was a beautiful message of hope and the power music has to change the path of our lives.”
Violins of Hope presenter Avshalom Weinstein (center) looks on as Orchard Valley Middle School musicians Sarah Smith (left) and Marline Parcouda try out some of the violins on display.
The Violins of Hope presentation brought a crowd to the Republic Bank Performing Arts Center.
- WTPS -
