In October, the Punahou Music School welcomed the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, an internationally acclaimed ensemble from Paraguay that creates instruments from reclaimed trash. Led by Favio Chávez, the orchestra is composed of youth from the low-income Bañado Sur community near the Cateura Landfill in Asunción, Paraguay. Their story is one of resilience, creativity and a commitment to sustainability.
The orchestra has gained worldwide attention, including features on 60 Minutes and NPR, for its innovative approach to music. Instruments in the ensemble include a bass with a body crafted from an oil can, a saxophone made from rain gutters with bottle caps and coins, and a violin fashioned from a pizza pan, fork and spoon. Beyond performances, the orchestra’s music school provides free lessons to 300 – 400 students in the Cateura neighborhood.
While on O‘ahu, the Recycled Orchestra performed for the public at Tenney Theatre and held a special event at the Punahou Music School. They joined a student recital in Montague Hall and participated in an open rehearsal, where they worked on the Hawaiian steel guitar tune “Sleepwalk,” arranged by Music School faculty member Duane Padilla.
“The open rehearsal gave students and audience members a behind-the-scenes look at how people who don’t speak the same language can still connect and collaborate through music,” said Music School Director Helen Chao-Casano. “It was a reminder of music’s unique power to bridge cultures, bring people together and inspire us all.”