Playing it forward: a violin’s story

Six years after the tragic passing of Messiah music student Ethan Van Bochoven, his violin still holds a special place on campus: in the hands of Paris Emerie ’25, a double major in music and chemistry with a teaching certification.

Although Emerie never met Van Bochoven, when she auditioned for the music department in November 2020, artist-in-residence and adjunct instructor Peter Sirotin, suggested she invest in a quality instrument. During the same time that Emerie was looking for a new violin, Van Bochoven’s parents had reached out to Sirotin saying they were ready to part with their son’s violin.

“I have a very fond memory of Ethan as an enthusiastic and warm-hearted young man. He had a real passion for jazz and improvisation on violin and wanted to build on classical foundation to expand his abilities,” said Sirotin. “I was trying to help him with that and when he wanted to upgrade to a professional level instrument, I helped him choose the violin which is now in Paris’ hands.”

Emerie is carrying on Van Bochoven’s legacy, while building her own. In remembrance of him, she named her violin Itan, a variation of the name Ethan. She also wanted to honor him with a song at her senior recital. She contacted his parents, who recommended she play “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles. Since Van Bochoven had planned to perform a jazz version of the song with jazz instructor Kirk Reese, she contacted Reese, who agreed to perform with her at the recital. She also invited Van Bochoven’s parents to the performance held September 29, 2024.
The night of the concert, Emerie and Reese played the Beatles song. While it is customary for musicians to bow after playing the piece, they chose not to.

“It was not mine to play,” Emerie explained, saying she cried after playing it.

She finished her recital with “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” finding out later that Van Bochoven used to play that song, too.

“I will never forget this night of an ambitious program with a tribute and a band and many emotions,” she said.

After the recital, Van Bochoven’s parents texted her: “Paris, we cannot thank you enough for inviting us to your senior recital. Candidly, it was very emotional and quite intense for us. Lots of memories came rushing back… it was a challenge for both of us to hold it together. Paris, it was so nice to hear that violin again. Ethan filled our home with music and it’s something we really miss these days. We count it a privilege to have heard ‘Eleanor Rigby’ played with the same violin, in the same room, accompanied by Mr. Reese — just like Ethan had planned. It is something we will never forget. One thing we know with absolute certainty —Ethan’s violin ended up in the right place!”

After graduation in the spring, Emerie plans to pursue a career teaching high school chemistry — and providing private violin lessons.

— Emily Groff ’26