Before throwing away an empty can or bottle — and before pricing musical equipment for an aspiring percussionist — think about turning the junk into funk.

Last week, students in Antrim had a master class in salvaged music when artist-in-residence Jeff Erwin presented a series of his acclaimed “Junk to Funk” workshops at Great Brook School. A juried member of The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts’ artist roster, Erwin, 44, is an experienced classroom educator who developed his program while teaching the third grade in his native Portsmouth. Using pots, pans, bottles, gas cans, copper pipe, PVC tubing and other odd items, Erwin teaches the science of sound and the value of earth-friendly education through the joy of music.

During a Friday assembly, Erwin introduced Great Brook School and Antrim Elementary School students to an assortment of his creations that spanned the auditorium stage.

“They would have ended up in a landfill had I not rescued them from their imminent demise,” laughed Erwin.

A self-identified “hardcore environmentalist,” Erwin began his own percussive career organizing layered rhythms with classmates at the back of the bus. But aside from rousing percussive jam sessions, Erwin’s residencies include a strong emphasis on environmental concepts.

“I try to live as green as I can and get the kids to try that too,” said Erwin. “The main goal of reducing, reusing and recycling is to minimize what goes into the landfills, which are filling up.”

The three Rs work best when applied in order, he said, but lately the emphasis is on the latter. To reduce consumption and reuse as much as possible should be the primary goals, he said.

In the classroom, Erwin is fond of using an oversized kickball painted like a miniature earth, complete with cloud cover, rich green continents and cobalt oceans. As he hands it to the students, he hopes to convey a broader symbolism of inheritance.

“We’re handing you this. This is yours,” said Erwin. “We’re handing you some big problems that need to be solved. If you are passionate about those problems and you try to make a difference, you can hand it off to the next generation and feel good about what you did.”
Ever the ambassadors of a better world, the children seem receptive to the message, said Erwin.

“I think they get it. I think they take it to heart,” he said. “I’ve had kids who maybe haven’t found their thing, and with this, they find their thing.”

Erwin said he gets updates from schools he has visited about students who take a lasting interest in ecological themes, some of whom go on to pursue musical careers.

Eighth-grader Joe Edwards, 13, who already fancied himself a musician, is hopeful he can make his own small contributions.

“I don’t know how big a difference I can make, but every little bit counts,” said Edwards as he helped break down Erwin’s recycled instruments after the show.

Eighth-grader Cailin Ennis, 14, said she is ordinarily pretty conscious about what she throws away, but Erwin’s residency has increased her awareness that much more.

“I learned that instead of just recycling, we should reduce buying so many water bottles,” said Ennis. “Recycling is great, but it doesn’t count as much if you’re still buying tons of bottles. I also learned that some of this junk makes really cool sounds.”

Eighth-grader Jesse Edwards, 13, said the previous week was a profound experience.
“First of all, you can make anything into a musical instrument,” said Edwards. “Plus, it helps our planet and our ecosystem. Because of this, I’m going to reduce, reuse and recycle more. I’m going to make it a goal, starting now.”