One man’s trash is another man’s musical instrument. That was one less lesson learned on Wednesday as the New England Percussion Ensemble wowed Mattapoisett students with its "oddball" drumming.

The ensemble, a three-man band of percussionists, travels around the Northeast, teaching audiences about percussion instruments through interactive performance.

Bob Otto, who manages the ensemble, said, “We specialize in educational programs that are fun and valid from a educational standpoint. My philosophy is that fun and learning go hand in hand.”

After playing at Old Hammondtown School, the trio made its way to Center School where kids got a historical and multicultural perspective on the instruments that have evolved into modern drums.

Otto and fellow percussionist Abe Finch demonstrated the use of West African “talking drums” that were used to communicate messages through a series of rhythms and different pitches.

The group also took discarded plastic tubes and bags, showing kids that almost anything (with your parent’s permission) can become an instrument.

For Ed Sorrentino, the third member of the group, working with kids is always a good time.

“The expression you see on their face is totally cool,” said Sorrentino, who has been in the ensemble for 13 years. “I was awed by a percussionist and that’s why I’m in it.”

Kids got to interact with the percussionists, clapping to the beat of the music and brainstorming different types of instruments.

When asked to name a Russian stringed instrument beginning with b.

One student yelled, "Bassoon!"

In all fairness it was a hard one (the right answer: bandura), but the kids had fun guessing just the same.

And with their bodies wiggling to the beat of the snare drums, marimbas, maracas, and triangles, the students rarely took their eyes of of the group.

And, said Otto, “When they leave here, they’re three feet off the ground.”