In this KS3 lesson starter a Jewish woman, born in Germany in 1924, talks about her work as a musician in a concentration camp orchestra. At the age of 15 Esther Bejarano did two years hard labour at the Fuerstenwald labour camp. She was deported to Auschwitz where the Nazi authorities wanted to form an orchestra. Esther joined as an accordion player, which protected her from being killed in the gas chambers. She was forced to play cheerful music at the gates of the camp for new arrivals, knowing about the horrible fate that awaited most of them.

Video Series: Lesson Starters
Release Date 2010