'Some people's junk makes music for others on the Central Coast' (Priest 2014).
Following Favio Chaves' approach to music and recycling, Central Coast primary schools have created musical instruments from recycled materials as part of The Junkyard Orchestra School Challenge 2014. Participating schools then showcased their recycled instruments by composing and performing a two-three minute piece at Erina Fair.
It is great to hear that the Central Coast Symphony Orchestra lent out their services, providing a 'comprehensive music resource kit' to the teachers to assist them in creating these instruments, as well as providing guidance on how to create simple harmonies and compositions.
Like The Recycled Orchestra created by Favio Chaves in Cateura, this environmentally sustainability initiative helped to create musical opportunities for children. The Junkyard Orchestra School Challenge helps to break down both geographical and financial barriers that prevent young individuals from learning music. Although occurring in different countries under different circumstances, the initiatives have made similar effects, while simultaneously helping the environment. The schools who participated in The Junkyard Orchestra School Challenge benefited by sharing $40,000 in donations to improve and develop their music programs. Similarly, The Recycled Orchestra raised $175,000, however have made a full-length documentary about their initiative, and have performed for politicians and monarchs (Tsiolcas 2016).
We are hopeful that these initiatives will be employed more frequently at schools across NSW. It is a wonderful way to introduce young children to the basics of recycling while also providing them with the opportunity of learning music. It is certainly time to hear more about other schools following this example. It's time to create your junkyard orchestra!
For more information, please read:
Priest, P 2014, 'Junkyard orchestras will use recycled waste to entertain shoppers at Erina Fair', The Daily Telegraph, accessed 14 September 2018, <https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/junkyard-orchestras-will-use-recycled-waste-to-entertain-shoppers-at-erina-fair/news-story/ba3025b9adfb5166ec80653897a09024>.
Tsiolcas, A 2016, 'From Trash To Triumph: The Recycled Orchestra', NPR Music, accessed 14 September 2018, <https://www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2016/09/14/493794763/from-trash-to-triumph-the-recycled-orchestra>.
Author: Isabella Mazzarolo
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