In Auschwitz, the SS forced an orchestra to play for Jews that had been selected for gassing!
Auschwitz prison camp used all types of persuasion and control tactics on its prisoners. In 1941, the SS forced an orchestra to form in the camp. It was composed mostly of Polish, and Jews weren't allowed in the orchestra until 1944. It started out small, and the musicians had to play on top of their regular labor.
They were forced to play outside rain or shine at first, and eventually they were allowed to play inside if it was raining or snowing. The musicians had a higher suicide rate, and it is thought to be because they were under more emotional duress with the added work. They would play as workers walked to their labor tasks as a way to relax them into a controllable state.