This study examines the influence of music on the intergenerational transmission of Holocaust trauma. The article discusses the psychological role of the music by analyzing personal accounts of Holocaust survivor offspring, considering ways music influenced their relationships and communication with their parents, and how they employed music during the different stages of their life. Eleven second-generation musicians, with no prior experience with music therapy, consisting of three men and eight women aged 55–67 were interviewed. The interview included three musical excerpts that the interviewee prepared, representing their father, mother, and themselves. These musical excerpts were played during the interview, creating a deeper insight into the intergenerational relationship from the interviewee’s perspective. Analysis of the transcribed interviews indicated two patterns: the first, labeled “commemorating conductor”, relates to those with a more contented upbringing, who went on to perpetuate their parent’s traditions, primarily via their music; the second, the “arranger”, relates to those who grew up in a harsh environment. Music became their therapeutic tool and the means to recount their parents’ story. Both groups found creative ways via their music, to express intricate feelings repressed over the years, helping them cope with their background, identity, and communicate with their parents.
The role of geography in school segregation in the free parental choice context of Dutch cities