Resilient Voices

"A must-read showing the power of choral music to provide hope and unity even in the darkest of days. Dr. Holmes has preserved an important part of Estonians' lives as refugees in displaced persons camps in Germany that would otherwise have been lost."

Liina Teose, Estonian American National Council 2016 Outstanding Achievement award recipient

"Resilient Voices is a major contribution to the study of Estonian choral music and song festivals, published at a time when musicians worldwide are intensely thinking about their mission and purpose. It also fills a critical gap in the international war migration studies, a research field that, unfortunately, has expanded dramatically in recent years...This book is a valuable resource for libraries serving high school and university choral programs, and its affordable digital version will be useful in upper level undergraduate or graduate university courses about international choral repertoires, music therapy, or the culture of war refugees."

Guntis Smidchens, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA in the Journal of Baltic Studies (2021), Vol.52, No.4, 635-644

"Resilient Voices would be of interest to music educators desiring to know more about the history of Estonian choral music and culture, the relationship between music and war, the tie between identity and music, and the role music can play in maintaining the culture of displaced peoples. Choir directors would find the quotes and stories helpful in providing context for the works and composers mentioned in the book. Resilient Voices shares the power of song to provide hope, healing, and resilience to people displaced by war and is an important contribution to research in Estonian choral culture."

Wendy K. Moy, Syracuse University, New York

"A must-read showing the power of choral music to provide hope and unity even in the darkest of days. Dr. Holmes has preserved an important part of Estonians' lives as refugees in displaced persons camps in Germany that would otherwise have been lost."

Liina Teose, Estonian American National Council 2016 Outstanding Achievement award recipient

"Resilient Voices is a major contribution to the study of Estonian choral music and song festivals, published at a time when musicians worldwide are intensely thinking about their mission and purpose. It also fills a critical gap in the international war migration studies, a research field that, unfortunately, has expanded dramatically in recent years...This book is a valuable resource for libraries serving high school and university choral programs, and its affordable digital version will be useful in upper level undergraduate or graduate university courses about international choral repertoires, music therapy, or the culture of war refugees."

Guntis Smidchens, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA in the Journal of Baltic Studies (2021), Vol.52, No.4, 635-644

"Resilient Voices

would be of interest to music educators desiring to know more about the history of Estonian choral music and culture, the relationship between music and war, the tie between identity and music, and the role music can play in maintaining the culture of displaced peoples. Choir directors would find the quotes and stories helpful in providing context for the works and composers mentioned in the book. Resilient Voices shares the power of song to provide hope, healing, and resilience to people displaced by war and is an important contribution to research in Estonian choral culture."

Wendy K. Moy, Syracuse University, New York

"Resilient Voices is a major contribution to the study of Estonian choral music and song festivals, published at a time when musicians worldwide are intensely thinking about their mission and purpose. It also fills a critical gap in the international war migration studies, a research field that, unfortunately, has expanded dramatically in recent years...This book is a valuable resource for libraries serving high school and university choral programs, and its affordable digital version will be useful in upper level undergraduate or graduate university courses about international choral repertoires, music therapy, or the culture of war refugees. Singers everywhere will be encouraged and inspired by this uplifting account of musical resilience after extreme violence. Post-traumatic stress is a critical research topic in the twenty-first century, and this book contributes a vivid case study for understanding music's healing effects."

Guntis Smidchens, Journal of Baltic Studies, 52:4