Violins of Hope encourages sophomores

I was among the rest of the class of 2025 who got to witness the “Violins of Hope” school concert on Friday, March 3 during fourth period. The concert brought a different perspective to the Holocaust by having real violin artifacts from two victims who were a part of the six million who lost their lives because of their religion.

Violins of Hope has restored over 100 violins once played by victims. The two violins played at the assembly were a part of a traveling orchestra that has been played in different parts of the country, as well as the world. By playing these violins around the world, their goal is for the beautiful sound of the violin to demonstrate a voice of a Holocaust victim. So far Violins of Hope has performed 47 free educational concerts at different schools and Armijo has been one of their biggest crowds.

One of the violinists was Mr. David Belt, a Spanish teacher at Armijo. He’s had his own experience with violins, taking eight years of private lessons. He has been surrounded by music since the age of 12.

Mr. Belt played “Theme from Schindler´s List” and “Melody from The Prince of Egypt.” He even put together two songs himself after learning that he would be performing. First he played a melody that he was inspired by listening to Klezmer music and “Lamentations and Remembrances,” something he created all on his own.

The presenter of the Violins of Hope told the class an individual story about both of the violins, a story that brought a sense to the audience that, although we’re hearing about two of the victims’ stories in detail, each victim has his or her own story.

I’m grateful I was able to experience the concert for myself because I got a different perspective of how heartbreaking the Holocaust was still to this day.

“It can be one good act that changes the course of history forever.”