The Beauty of Music When It Seems Impossible

May 4, 2022 //

Our friend Bob Shepherd shared this wonderful video of a musical group whose instruments (at least the strings) were made from garbage collected at a landfill in Paraguay. And the group is called the LandFillHarmonic.

Here is another.

Be sure to watch!

Categories Art, Joy

12 Comments Post your own or leave a trackback: Trackback URL

retired teacher says:

May 4, 2022 at 10:57 am

I can remember seeing the story of this orchestra on ’60 Minutes.’ Children often find themselves through the arts or sometimes sports, even chess. This program helps children see a world beyond their poverty. It also helps children to develop a sense of purpose and community as well as collaborative skills. Having worked with poor young people around the world for most of my career, I have always been in awe of their resilience and resourcefulness. Haitian children described some of the self-made toys they invented from bottle tops, stones, and tin cans. They were always clever and creative.

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peskyvera says:

May 4, 2022 at 11:16 am

Venezuela has something similar called ‘El Sistema’, started many years ago to encourage young folks – especially from poor backgrounds, to get involved in music. Well-known musical conductor Gustavo Dudamel is a product of this ‘El Sistema’ – he worked many years with these children and also conducted the Orquesta Bolivariana – all young people.

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- Bob Shepherd says:
  
  May 5, 2022 at 2:36 am
  
  Wonderful!!!
  
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- Bob Shepherd says:
  
  May 5, 2022 at 2:40 am
  
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- Bob Shepherd says:
  
  May 5, 2022 at 2:48 am
  
  Thank you for sharing this, Vera!
  
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- Bob Shepherd says:
  
  May 5, 2022 at 2:57 am
  
  Oh my sweet Lord, listen to these kids play!!!!!!
  
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Máté Wierdl says:

May 4, 2022 at 12:29 pm

This vid says a bit more.

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Roy Turrentine says:

May 4, 2022 at 1:01 pm

This is a beautiful thing. That so much can be done with so little speaks much of the human spirit when turned to beauty and creativity.

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Bob Shepherd says:

May 4, 2022 at 2:04 pm

The universe is born again in every child. Every child is of enormous value. Knowledge of this is what drives good teachers, like those who developed and work in this program. I studied lutherie and have built guitars, so I know how much is involved in making a single one of these instruments–how much knowledge, time, and care. Knowledge, time, and care–the things kids need from us, too. Blessings on these people, who understand what every child is worth.

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Jack Burgess says:

May 4, 2022 at 3:12 pm

Wonderful! My wife, Kathleen, and I love this. She is a retired public school music teacher who has traveled extensively in “Latin” America. I love the kids and the music, and I remember my Mexican American friends that I grew up with in Michigan.

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bethree5 says:

May 4, 2022 at 4:28 pm

Thanks so much for sharing LandFill Harmonic with us! I sent videos to friends and family.

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retiredbutmissthekids says:

May 4, 2022 at 5:01 pm

Thanks, Bob, for sending this in & to Diane for posting.
It’s so nice to see/hear something pleasant & soothing & not of the news of the day.
“Music soothes the savage breast.”

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