Principal Percussionist for the American Youth Philharmonic (AYP)
Member of the Nationally Acclaimed
AYPO Percussion Ensemble
ALL STATE Percussionist
ALL STATE
Jazz Drummer
Drummer in Rock Band
No Vacancy
3x ALL DISTRICT Percussionist
WHO IS
BEN
Born and raised in the Washington, DC, area and a student at The Potomac School, Ben has been playing percussion and drum set since he was able to pick up a pair of sticks. Beginning lessons and forming his first band, Electric Blue, at the age of nine, he quickly took to the stage.
In middle school, Ben began his study of a variety of different styles, including rock, jazz, funk, pop, and Bossa nova, and became a member of his school’s concert band in sixth grade. Electric Blue won the Best Junior Band at Children’s National Hospital’s Rock for a Cure event, Best Audience Reaction at Bach to Rock’s Battle of the Bands XVII and Runner up in Bach to Rock’s Battle of the Bands XVII.
While he continued to play at charity events, band competitions and restaurants with his band of childhood friends, Ben started focusing on classical percussion in high school studying under accomplished percussionist, composer, and music educator, Doug Wallace. In ninth grade, Ben was accepted into The Potomac School’s Visual and Performing Arts - Music Concentration. As a music concentrator, Ben has taken coursework in advanced music theory and history and participates actively in the musical life of his school. He is one of two students from his grade in the program and will graduate with a Concentration in Percussion.
Along with participating in The Potomac School’s Honors Concert Band, Pep Band, and Jazz Band, Ben has accompanied Potomac’s Chorus, Orchestra, and Hand Bell Ensemble, and played drum set for Potomac’s production of Guys and Dolls. He is also the Co-Chair of the Coffeehouse Committee, which helps to plan an annual student music showcase.
Whiplash Cover
Ben is the Principal Percussionist for the American Youth Philharmonic (AYP), under the direction of Dr. Timothy Dixon. AYP is one of leading youth orchestral training programs in the nation. Ben is also a member of the nationally acclaimed AYPO Percussion Ensemble. Notable venues at which Ben has played include the National Cathedral, the Kennedy Center, Capital One Hall, and Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall. He was accepted to the Virginia District 12 All-District Band as a sophomore, as a junior, and as a senior. He also made the All-Virginia Concert Band as a senior and is the first person in his high school's history to have made the All-Virginia Jazz Band.
For fun, Ben continues to play with his rock band (including Tiimo Jeyarajah, Jacob Getlan and Jamie Zimmerman), now named No Vacancy. When he’s not playing percussion, Ben enjoys backpacking, playing tennis, cheering for the Washington Commanders, and spending time with his loving parents, his brother, Cooper, and his nine-year old dog, Kasha.
"Simply put, I live and breathe music. A drummer virtually my whole life, and more recently an orchestral percussionist, playing and listening to music has always been my passion. Sitting down at a drum kit and controlling the direction of songs is a powerful experience that honestly never gets old for me; drumming grounds me more than anything else, and even though it doesn’t seem like it from a distance, playing is almost meditative. As a high school student, I naturally carry around a great deal of stress, and to be able to feel relaxed, in control and present at the same time is rare for me.
Drumming has always come naturally, and been a safe haven, a medium for self-expression, and something that de-stresses me during moments of chaos and uncertainty. More importantly, I feel as though I’m able to connect what I’ve learned from playing music to my daily life. One memorable insight that my first teacher gave to me when I was starting out was, “music is a conversation.” Through playing in a multitude of ensembles, my communication and listening skills have vastly improved, and I have tried to incorporate rhythm into my daily life. If I’m not drumming, I’m most likely listening to music. Hip-hop, alt rock, jazz, ambient, shoegaze, classical, and trap to name a few genres, I will not go a day without listening."
Ben Schirmeier
