In Spain, orchestral project uses musical instruments made from recycled junk

Cristina Vazquez, a member of the "Music of Recycling" orchestra, holds her violin during a rehearsal in Madrid. The project, dubbed "Music of Recycling", aims to give second opportunities to discarded junk as well as youths from disadvantaged backgrounds. Photo: AFP

Cristina Vazquez, a Roma teen who grew up in a Madrid shantytown, never imagined herself playing the violin. But today she is first violinist in an inventive orchestra bringing together two dozen other disadvantaged youths, using instruments made from recycled materials.

Her violin is made from colourful soda cans, while a string bass has a skateboard for its body, and drums are made from plastic barrels.