'"In a country that has had 30 years of civil war, music and music education can assist traumatised people, especially young children and orphans who witnessed the killing of their parents and destruction of their homes.

"No one can argue against the unifying power of music."

Back in the classroom, the other teenager battling with the tricky French score, 19-year-old Ramin Shekwa, also believes music is "good for the mind and soul" of his traumatised nation.

"Music is good to keep away sorrow and feel the happiness of other countries through their music," Shekwa says, wrapping his cold fingers around the violin he hopes will one day put him in his country's first symphony orchestra.'

From one of the links. How true, and how important. Great post, Jack.