The Sound of the Silence: Music in World War II Concentration Camps

Music was a constant and crucial component of everyday life in World War II concentration camps. In the concentration camps, there were many genres of music performed and written by victims of German brutality. The Germans used the power of music in the concentration camps as a way to degrade and torture the victims. On the other hand, World War II concentration camp victims used music as a response of the perception to the reality of daily life. It was also used as a coping mechanism and a way to provide the strength to survive on a day-to-day basis. Furthermore, music was key to Jewish cultural survival during the war. Music also demonstrated the victims\u27 will to create that could not be destroyed. Finally, music served as a reminder of ones humanity to the concentration camp victims