Description
The intention of this study was to examine the musical activities within three different concentration camps during World War II. The chosen concentration camps for this thesis represented three distinct types of camps: a ghetto, a transitory/labor camp, and an extermination camp. Comparative methods were used to discover similarities and differences of the musical activities that were allowed and encouraged by the Nazis. The study focused on seven areas of interest: repertoire, instruments, ensembles, venues, rules dictating musical activities, Nazi's use of music, and the musicians' status within the camp. It was found that the type of musical activities that existed within the camp directly correlated with the objective of that particular camp. Auschwitz was designed to systematically exterminate the Jews through their elaborate gas and crematorium chambers. Terezín was used for propaganda purposes to convince worried world leaders of the general well-being of the Jews. And finally, Warsaw was a temporary gathering place for the Jews until its citizens could be transported to extermination camps. Music existed in the camps and was used as a tool to survive the war.
