We live in turbulent times. Every morning brings news of fresh catastrophes. Wars, politically motivated murders, hatred, and societal division are ubiquitous. In Austria, national mourning was declared following the shocking rampage at a school in Graz, which resulted in eleven deaths and as many injuries, and event organizers faced a difficult question: How should I handle scheduled concerts and performances? Should I cancel? Should I let the curtain rise?
Many chose to proceed with the scheduled events, prefacing them with a moment of remembrance or a minute of silence. The reactions were mostly positive, reaffirming once again: when words fail, music speaks. It can console, support, and remind us. In moments of loss, it touches us more deeply than any well-intentioned speech.
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