Wyoming — Percussionists are busy practicing at Wyoming High School, producing music that’s strong, harmonious and … drumroll, please … kind of quiet.
They are using percussion sawhorses, tools used for perfecting technique and drumline work. Chauncey Oliver, a sophomore French horn player, built eight of them for the high school and Wyoming Junior High, allowing students to practice without the sometimes ear-splitting volume of an actual drum. Plus, they are adjustable and easy to transport.
“It’s a wonderful thing. I love the band, and I’m very grateful that I have the opportunity to help out and improve our band,” Chauncey said.
‘Here’s a physical product that will last for a long time. We can say it was something that Chauncey Oliver helped build.’
— Director Shawn Gurk
Last school year, he asked Shawn Gurk, director of bands for both schools, if there was anything the bands needed that might work for a community service project. Chauncey is applying for his Eagle Scout award, the highest rank in Scouting America.
Gurk’s answer: percussion sawhorses for rehearsing and learning technique.
“It’s excellent for the drumline to practice at a lower volume,” he said. “They can work out percussive things without the huge bang-bang of the drums all the time.”
Senior and drumline captain Rhiley VanDyke said the tools are getting good use.
“I’ve seen a lot of my members of the drumline use them for practicing,” she said. “If there was a hard rhythm that they were trying to work out, it was always easier to do it on this than actually have the really loud snare drum in your face.”
A Lasting Contribution
Chauncey built the sawhorses in his garage with help from other members of his BSA Troop and the band, contributing 80 to 90 hours in planning and building. Each one consists of a steel base topped with a plank of wood covered in rubber.
“The rubber works pretty much like a drum, so it feels mostly the same and is great for practicing,” Chauncey said.
Gurk said the sawhorses fill a need for drummers. Many years ago the band had makeshift versions of them, but without rubber on top they disintegrated and they hadn’t been replaced.
“It was one of those projects that are on the back of your mind that would be nice, but there are too many other things to think about.”
The fact that the bands now have them, thanks to a band member, is very meaningful, he said.
“When a student gives back like this, it’s fantastic. It’s something that will last,” Gurk said. “Here’s a physical product that will last for a long time. We can say it was something that Chauncey Oliver helped build.”
A Leader at School and in Scouting
Chauncey began scouting at age 8 and is now in a troop in the Ada/Cascade area. To earn his Eagle Scout award, he plans to submit a report on his project and apply. He hopes to receive the award in the next few months.
After that, he said he plans to work with the Order of the Arrow to improve scouting in Michigan and continue helping his troop grow and become stronger.
At Wyoming, Chauncey is in the concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band and Ensemble Zero, a student-led jazz combo that performs at gigs and events. He is also on the cross-country and track teams, on student council, in the Dungeons & Dragons Club and has served as a mentor in the band program for younger French horn players.
“I hope to continue music throughout my whole life. It brings me a lot of joy, and I would love to keep playing my horn,” he said.
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