At Harbison West Elementary, One Man's Trash Is Treasure to a Group of Students

What do trash cans, plastic containers and a frying pan have in common? Not much, but students at Harbison West Elementary School are using resourcefulness, creativity and ordinary items like these to make one extraordinary sound. 

Now finishing its second year, the school’s Trash Can Band has become one of the more popular extracurricular activities in the school. Ranging in grades three through five, the 15 students that make up the band rehearsed once a week this school year and performed during several events including a performance at Midlands Technical College’s Harbison Theatre with Irmo Middle and Irmo High School bands. 

Music teacher Dawn Reitz said the idea for the Trash Can Band was created out of a need to be resourceful and provide students with an enriching musical opportunity. 

“Drums are expensive and trash cans aren’t, so that’s where the idea came from,” Reitz said. “These are students that may not normally interact with each other. I have a range in terms of grade level and background. It’s just a really great way to get them together and have a good time but also teach them about music.” 

Third grader J.C. Marks said the Trash Can Band is different – in a good way. 

“I wanted to play music, and I thought it was fun. I like the sound because it’s different, much louder.”

His mother, Jenny Marks, says her son got lots of practice as an infant banging on pots and pans in the family’s kitchen. Now, the Trash Can Band is helping him build music and interpersonal skills, she said. 

“He’s learned to work in a group,” the Harbison West parent said. “As an only child, he doesn’t often get to experience something like that at home. I also see him tapping his foot to music, so he’s learning about keeping the beats and timing. He’s thoroughly enjoyed it.” 

Nearly 80 students auditioned for the band this school year. The instruments include such items as metal and plastic garbage cans, empty large pork rind containers, buckets, lids and drum sticks. Many of the items have been donated. Others Reitz has found in home improvement stores she visits, testing the sound in-store to find the right notes for the pieces she adapts from percussion selections. 

“Music does something to you, and I’ve watch students from all backgrounds blossom through music,” Reitz said. “It’s about getting them out of their desks and doing something creative. It’s not just banging on buckets.”

Submitted by Lexington-Richland District 5.