The Settler

Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Chris Rutledge Steven Phillips plays drums for Vol State's Commercial Music Ensemble.

Since he was 11 years old, Steven
Phillips has been playing the
drums. A music major and drummer
for the Commercial Music Ensemble,
much of Phillips's time is dedicated to
the instrument.

Originally he started playing because,
"It just looked cooler than everything
else in music. It always seemed
like in school that girls like drummers,
so that was a place I needed to be," he
explained sarcastically.

When he was younger, he was a big
fan of Dave Grohl and Jimmy Chamberlin
and cites both as big influences.

"I still listen to both of those guys
no matter what they're doing," said
Phillips.

Phillips spends much of his time
in the T. Wesley Pickel Field House,
particularly the piano lab. He is taking
both piano and guitar lessons this semester.

"Steven is nice and well behaved in
my class. I wouldn't mind having him
back," said his piano instructor Linda
Newby.

Phillips has close relationships with
most of his teachers. He claims to have
been personally influenced by every
music teacher he's ever had.

"I try to stay away from favorites.

I would say I like all of my teachers,"
said Phillips.

"I try to influence myself, but
that doesn't always work."

" Usually there is a difference
between a drummer and a percussionist.

I can truly say that he is a percussionist.
One who has a vast knowledge
of all of the percussion instruments,
not just a drum set," said James Story, associate director
of music and department chair. "He
takes instructions very well and he has
an innate aptitude for drumming. He's
a very bright young man, he's very focused
and disciplined and methodical
in his approach to studying music."

Phillips plans to stay in the Commercial
Music Ensemble through at
least the spring semester. He was originally
approached about
joining by Lynn Peterson,
associate professor
of music.

"I was at the studio
one day doing something
for some girl.

Lynn Peterson came by
and he heard me and
approached me about
it," explained Phillips.

"Anytime somebody
asks me to come play
drums, most of the
time I will. Especially
in a situation like that
where there will be
pretty decent musicians
for the most part. There
are some really good
ones in the Commercial
Music Ensemble."

"I want to stay in
school and play music
as much as I can,"
said Phillips. "Maybe at
the end I'll have a performance degree
in music. I think what I'm after is a
piece of paper that states 'okay, it's for
real.'"

"He has a future in becoming a professional
drummer if that's his goal,"
said Story.

"Music is not easy. Don't ever think
that it is, because it's not," said Phillips.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools