Recycled repertoire

Waste-free music-making Funky junk

Members of the Junk Orchestra, founded by Saul Eisenberg, make their own instruments from rubbish, creating curious percussive sounds dubbed ‘rock ‘n’ recycle’. The ensemble leads workshops in schools and healthcare settings and is a big hit with youngsters, having appeared on the popular Cbeebies programme Justin’s House. See thejunkorchestra.co.uk.

Vegging out

The Vienna-based Vegetable Orchestra (pictured above) performs on a bizarre lineup that includes a cucumberphone, carrot flute, pepper horn, pumpkin triangle, onion maracas and a leek violin. There’s no waste from this edible ensemble: after performances, a chef turns the instruments into soup.

The keys to happiness

Though piano making in the UK has declined dramatically over the past few decades, during the 20th century dozens of manufacturers created hundreds of instruments for domestic music making. While many of these instruments are beyond musical repair, plenty are finding new life through upcycled projects – for instance, an ancient upright makes a perfect drinks cabinet-cum-bar.