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- Notes:
- An international orchestra composed of Allied prisoners performs under the direction of a German director in the prison camp at Wahn. The orchestra includes stringed, reed, and percussion instruments and the music stands appear to have been made in the camp. Musical performances helped improve camp morale and many musicians were internationally-renowned before the war.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The French orchestra performs an afternoon concert for recuperating sick and wounded prisoners of war in a garden outside of the hospital ward at Goettingen. The civilian standing to the extreme left, talking to the wounded Russian soldier is probably Archibald C. Harte.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The stringed orchestra performs during the Christmas service in the YMCA building in Braunau-am-Inn in 1916. Note the extensive decorations in the building which include garland, paper chains, pine boughs, and a large, decorated Christmas tree behind the stage. There are Christmas presents on the floor to the right of the stage, near a phonograph. Association secretaries went to great lengths to provide POW's with Christmas cheer at a time when many prisoners suffered from depression and home sickness.
- Date Created:
- 1916-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A French band of stringed instruments (three violins, one cello, a guitar, a mandolin, and a banjo) plays a tune near the compound fence at Koenigsbrueck. At least three of the instruments were self-made by the prisoners in the camp. Skilled carpenters could produce musical instruments to provide entertainment for the war prisoners.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Musical performances lifted spirits within prison camps and this photo shows a Russian POW balalaika orchestra at Muensingen.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Russian prisoners of war in an unidentified German prison camp perform in a prison compound. These men are members of the YMCA Orchestra. The Red Triangle provided their musical instruments and their music. By providing instruments, the Association was able to support entertainment programs, often featuring talented musicians.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The stringed orchestra at Bautzen, composed of French and Russian musicians, performs outdoors for the prisoners. German soldiers are among the audience circling the orchestra. Note the white identification badge on the front of many of the prisoners' caps.
- Date Created:
- 1916-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- British prisoners, musicians in the Freigefangenenburger Orchestra (Free Prisoner Citizen Orchestra), pose on stage in front of a woods scene at the prison camp at Frankfurt-am-Main. The orchestra is well equipped with stringed instruments, woodwinds, and percussion and is conducted by Herr Johak Shawski (an assumed name). Most of the musicians are identified with comical names in the caption.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- An unidentified Association secretary, sitting in the center, poses with a Russian balaklava band in an unknown Austrian prison camp. The instruments range from small mandolins to the massive bass balalakas in the background (and one prisoner has a pair of cymbals). The YMCA helped provide musical instruments to prisoners to encourage musical performances in prison camps.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- This is an example of a French concert program from the prison camp at Zossen. The two-part program lists the music and identifies the performers that sing with the camp choir. The choir was supported by an orchestra and organ. This program appeared in the German magazine "Der Krieg" and gave the German people an idea of what prisoners did for entertainment in prison camps.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Prisoners perform an outdoor concert and theatrical performance for sick and wounded prisoners in the courtyard of the hospital at Grafenwoehr. These performances helped lift the spirits of men recovering from illnesses or wounds.
- Date Created:
- 1916-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The monotony of prison camp life had a deep psychological impact on a large number of prisoners of war. This French prisoner orchestra is giving an outdoor concert for the inmates of an unknown German prison camp. This orchestra includes a string section, brass, and even a piano. Musical entertainment helped to break the monotony of everyday camp life.
- Date Created:
- 1916-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A French stringed orchestra, with many of the instruments made by the prisoners themselves, performs on stage outdoors at Stuttgart. A group of French POW's stand to the right. Musical performances played a critical role in terms of improving morale in prison camps.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A French clown sings a tragic song accompanied by the camp orchestra during a variety show in the theater at Dyrotz. Theatrical performances were a critical part of social life in prison camps, both for the actors and the audience, especially for the latter since they gained the opportunity to escape from their confinement for an hour or two through theatrical entertainment.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The audience in the theater at Dyrotz enjoys a French production. In the front row, behind the prison orchestra, sits a visiting delegation--the German officers sitting to the left appears to be having a particularly good time at the show.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The prison camp orchestra, composed of British, French, and Russian musicians, pose for a group photograph with their musical instruments at the prison camp at Goettingen. The orchestra performed at the dedication of the new YMCA hall in 1915.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The Russian prisoners of war at Goettingen formed a balalaika orchestra. Their musical instruments ranged from small mandolins to the large bass balalaika.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The prison orchestra at Goettingen rehearses a work in the camp theater. This prison enjoyed a large orchestra and the YMCA provided many of the musical instruments. The orchestra provided concerts, supported theatrical productions, and played at religious services. The signs near the ceiling warn the prisoners not to smoke in English and French (a necessary precaution in a crowded prison) and not to climb in the rafters.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- British interrnees could participate in a full orchestra in the prison camp at Ruhleben. Among the prisoners there were a number of accomplished musicians and composers. Concerts provided by the orchestra provided the camp population with a diversion from their problems and homesickness.
- Date Created:
- 1917-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- French and Belgian officers pose with their instruments for this photograph from Halle-am-Saal. The prisoners have formed a string orchestra consisting of violins, cellos, and an organ and their music sits on metal music stands. There are cartoons pinned to the wall in preparation for a future production.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The prison orchestra at Doeberitz, composed of British prisoners, is about to give an outdoor concert in front of a barrack. Prisoners are equipped with a wide range of musical instruments and have wooden music stands, most likely produced in the prison carpentry shop. Note the camp bulletin board on the wall behind the orchestra which announced news and orders.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Nine members of the stringed orchestra at Ohrdruf pose for this photograph. The American YMCA shipped musical instruments to prison camps as part of the Association's social program. Access to instruments permitted musicians the opportunity to maintain their talent in preparation for post-war employment and the music performed by the orchestras and bands in prison concerts helped boost the morale of the prison population in general.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The holidays were often a very difficult time for prisoners far from home. In response, POW's often organized special concerts and other festivities during this time of year. This is the New Year's Day concert program for French prisoners of war at Muensingen on 1 January 1918.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries