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Toychestra
-- Lexa Walsh
View Spark segment on Toychestra. Original air date: April 2006. (Running Time: 1:40)
If fond memories of your childhood include a brightly colored xylophone, plastic saxophone or Fraggle Rock drum kit, then you'd probably enjoy Toychestra. The group began as a one-off performance in 1996 for a women's music festival at Hotel Utah, when they decided to abandon their regular instruments and play only toys. Their songs were a hit, and Toychestra was born.
Since then, Toychestra has played for a diverse audience in various venues, including rock clubs, experimental music venues and classrooms. In addition to their original compositions, the group plays covers of such diverse artists ranging from Dvorak to Black Flag. They have made several recordings, including a collaborative effort with Dan Plonsey and Fred Frith called "Concerto for Guitar and Toy Orchestra."
