Violins of Hope is a series of concerts featuring a collection of violins, violas, and cellos, many of which belonged to Jews before and during World War II. Many were donated by or bought from survivors; some arrived through family members and many simply carry Stars of David as decoration.
While the history of these instruments is not always clear, they are symbols of Jewish traditions that were all but completely destroyed during the Holocaust. Violins of Hope concerts are the ultimate answer to their plan to annihilate a people and their culture, to destroy human lives and freedom.
Violins of Hope is not only a memorial to a lost culture and people, it is also an educational act that reaches young students and adults wherever these concerts are performed. In recent years some of the most world renowned orchestras have held Violins of Hope concerts, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Cleveland Symphony, and many others.
Violins of Hope: Sioux City
Tolerance Week programs this year are presented in partnership with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. SCSO serves as the artistic and educational partner creating, performing, and delivering each program. All events are free and open to the public thanks to the extraordinary generosity of donors.
8th-Grade Educational Concert
A Musical Witness to History
A Morning of Music, History, and Reflection for Siouxland Students
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 9:30 to 10:45 am
Location: Orpheum Theatre
This educational concert introduces about 2,000 middle school students to the story of the Violins of Hope through live performance, storytelling, and visual media. The program opens with a short documentary excerpt that establishes historical context, followed by music performed by the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra’s string section under the direction of Music Director Ryan Haskins. Students will hear from special guests and SCSO musicians as they reflect on the instruments, the musicians who played them, and the importance of remembering the Holocaust through the arts.
Sioux City Symphony: An Evening of Memory, Music, and Remembrance
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 7:30 to 9:00 pm
Location: Orpheum Theatre
This mainstage concert brings the historic Holocaust violins to the Orpheum Theatre for an evening of powerful remembrance. Under the direction of Music Director Ryan Haskins, the Sioux City Symphony string section performs on and alongside select instruments from the Violins of Hope collection. A brief appearance by members of the Sioux City Symphony Youth Orchestra provides a meaningful generational connection and symbolizes the passing forward of memory.
In School Outreach Presentations Across Siouxland
Dates: April 13 to 29, 2026
Format: Forty-five-minute classroom sessions
Presenters: Sioux City Symphony Orchestra musicians and an educational host.
Each classroom session features live performances by Sioux City Symphony Orchestra musicians alongside an educational host who guides discussion and actively engages students. Through guided storytelling, musical demonstrations, and interactive dialogue, students learn about the history of the instruments and the people who once played them. These restored violins and stringed instruments are connected to individuals whose lives were shaped by the events of the Holocaust and World War II, representing stories of courage, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of music.
Music in the Shadow of the Rails
Violins of Hope at the Holocaust Rails Exhibit
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Holocaust Rails Exhibit, Sioux City Railroad Museum
This program is an intimate chamber performance by the Sioux City Symphony String Quartet set inside the Holocaust Rails exhibit. Special guests and SCSO Music Director Ryan Haskins will guide the audience through this reflective program, offering context that deepens the connection between the music, the instruments, and the stories they honor. This moving performance underscores the importance of preserving Holocaust memory for future generations.
2026 Tolerance Week Essay Contest and the Ella Holtzen Memorial Art Contest
This year’s theme is “Remembering the Past, Shaping the Future.”
– Art Entries: Create a visual representation (11”x 14” or smaller) reflecting how Holocaust education encourages respect and standing up against hatred.
– Essay Entries: Write a piece (400 words or less) examining how Holocaust education encourages respect and standing up against hatred.
– Other Media: Other forms of creative expression are also welcome
Deadline: Monday, April 13, 2026, 5pm
– How to Enter: Email entries to grlindblade@gmail.com or drop them off at 1922 Pierce Street.
– Required Info: Include student and teacher names, grade, school, and email addresses.
Winners will be announced on April 23 via the Sioux City Journal, the Tolerance Alliance website, and Facebook page.