His love for music and obsession with drums began when his parents noticed he liked to hit things. From a young age Phil Cook, junior, has regularly callused and blistered hands from continuing his passion for playing the drums.
A lifetime member of Grace Church in Maryland Heights, Cook started to take drumming lessons from their youth director when he was in third grade. He received an overwhelming amount of positive energy and learned to love contemporary Christian rock music each Sunday. Not only is Cook in a youth group band, he is also in the KHS band and practices an hour after school each day on his own.
“Talent is invaluable. You can’t put a price tag on it. There are kids out there who have talent but do not pursue it, and it does not progress as it should,” Jason Rekittke, band director said. “Phil is one of the best we have; he juggles a lot between school and his bands. He is a quiet leader, but leads by example.”
Dreamfeader, Rush and Canvas are some of Cooks favorite bands. What sets Cook apart from these talented musicians is that he continues to do it for God.
“I want to honor and glorify God,” Cook said. “I drum for God and serve him for any chance I get. When I see others in the crowd getting into the music I know I am doing my job.”
Cook considers drumming an emotional release. Some of his biggest musical accomplishments were when he participated in a Chicago band camp for students and played with a Christian artist Kaleb Kruger. He also preformed in front of a vivacious crowd with the Joyce Meyer ministry at the Edward Jones Dome.
“It was a huge adrenaline rush,” Cook said. “I can express myself through the drums. I can play for a crowd of 26,000 but can’t talk in front of 20.”
Students have also heard Cook’s skills at local talent shows and drum line competitions.
“He inspires other kids to do what they love,” Mason Coyle, junior band member, said. “When I heard him play at the NKMS Talent Show I felt like I was at a concert. Everyone was shocked. You could see all of the hard work and effort he put into it.”
Although Cook spends a lot of time and effort participating in music, he also has many other interests that could lead him to different career paths in his future.
“I have always thought about a career in music, but I also want to go into pharmaceuticals because of my interests in math and science, especially chemistry,” Cook said.
Cook’s priorities consist of family, friends and “chillin,” but he always makes sure to put God as his number one.
“I want to use the gift God gave me and return it back to him through what I feel is the most sincerest worship: music,” Cook said.
