Violins of Hope Holocaust Concert Coming to Sioux Falls
A powerful piece of history is making its way to Sioux Falls for the very first time. On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the local community will have a rare opportunity to experience history through sound during a special, free public program at Augustana University.
Mount Zion Congregation and the Curious Music Collective have partnered to host Violins of Hope: Sioux Falls: Never Forget Hope. The evening will highlight a special concert and presentation showcasing a world-renowned collection of string instruments that survived the Holocaust.
Instruments of Resilience and Remembrance
The Violins of Hope project is made up of violins, violas, and cellos that have been lovingly restored after being played by Jewish musicians before and during World War II. Many of these instruments survived concentration camps, ghettos, and forced journeys, serving as literal lifelines of resilience, resistance, and survival.
Brought to the region in partnership with the Minnesota JCC, this specific performance marks the historical collection's debut in South Dakota.
An Evening of Music, Poetry, and Community
The event is designed to be much more than a traditional concert. Centered around the theme of remembering the past while choosing a more compassionate future, the evening will blend music with storytelling and spoken word.
The program includes:
Live Musical Performances: Professional and young area musicians will be led by Dr. Yi-Chun Lin, Executive and Artistic Director of the Curious Music Collective. The performance will feature pieces by Jewish composers, specifically selected to capture themes of memory, exile, and loss.
Original Spoken Word: The concert will feature original poetry from local writers Lawrence Diggs and Xavier Pastrano.
The Stories Behind the Strings: Attendees will hear the individual, historical background stories of the specific instruments being played.
Community Conversation: The performance will be followed by an open discussion and Q&A session featuring event organizers, the artists, and local community leaders.
"These instruments give us a physical connection to Holocaust memory, and they remind us that hate must be confronted through education, community, and hope," - Jacob Forstein, President of Mount Zion Congregation.
Event and Attendance Details
Because of the profound nature of this tour, seating for the live performance is limited.
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Where: Hamre Recital Hall, located inside the Fryxell Humanities Center at Augustana University (2120 S. Grange Ave, Sioux Falls)
Cost: The event is entirely free to the public, though free-will donations will be accepted at the door.
Livestream Option: For those unable to attend in person, the entire program will be livestreamed live on the Curious Music Collective YouTube page.
For more details on the performance and the history of the instruments, visit the official event page at sfcmcollective.com.
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