The Recycled Orchestra Performs Using Instruments Made from Landfill Trash

<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=cateura,+asuncion+paraguay&amp;oe=utf-8&amp;aq=t&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=N&amp;tab=wl">Cateura</a> is an impoverished town in Paraguay that was built practically right on top of a landfill; there, a remarkable group of students are taking part in a youth music program, using instruments that are made from recycled discarded materials found in the landfill. The instruments they play are made from cans, barrels, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/reclaim-nyc-furniture-made-from-sandy-debris-still-available-for-sale/">reclaimed </a>wood, steel and household objects like silverware. The unique orchestra will soon be featured in a documentary called <a href="http://landfillharmonicmovie.wordpress.com/">The Landfill Harmonic</a>, which is being produced by Alejandra Nash and Juliana Penaranda-Loftus. Hit the jump to see movie stills and a trailer for the film.

This remarkable transformation of trash into musical treasure is currently being documented in an upcoming feature-length documentary called “Landfill Harmonic.”

The film is being directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1749134/">Graham Townsley</a>, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker who is also an anthropologist known for his 3 part PBS series <a href="http://video.pbs.org/video/2098138008">Becoming Human</a>.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/landfillharmonicmovie">Landfill Harmonic</a> is slated for release in 2014, and will explore the journey of The Recycled orchestra, group of Cateura teenagers who perform the instruments made out of the landfill materials from their neighborhood.

The recently released<a href="http://vimeo.com/52129103"> trailer </a>shows, among other inspiring images, a cello made from an oilcan and reclaimed wood, and a violin bridge made from a fork.

The recently released<a href="http://vimeo.com/52129103"> trailer </a>shows, among other inspiring images, a cello made from an oilcan and reclaimed wood, and a violin bridge made from a fork.

Cateura is a place, one resident explains, “where a violin costs more than a house”.

Despite the modest beginnings of the ensemble, the documentary’s trailer shows the Recycled Orchestra performing in classrooms as well as concert halls, executing well-known musical pieces.

To see and hear this amazing group, you can watch more <a href="http://vimeo.com/52129103">here</a>.

To see and hear this amazing group, you can watch more <a href="http://vimeo.com/52129103">here</a>.