By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter
NORTH ROBINSON — Colonel Crawford High School senior Joseph Shaffer created a musical instrument for his senior project.
The 18-year-old student attends the performing arts program through Pioneer Career and Technology Center and decided to create a tubulum for this project.
“I became interested in this type of instrument after seeing the Blue Man Group in concert during my junior year in high school. I saw it and just knew I had to make one and play it,” Shaffer said.
Shaffer researched the instrument before attempting to make one.
“I watched YouTube videos and researched how to make one,” Shaffer said. “I spent a lot of time researching it.”
After Shaffer made his tubulum, he had another obstacle to overcome.
“I had to teach myself to play it,” Shaffer said. “It was trial and error. I looked at piano sheet music and found a way to make it work.”
Shaffer, who battled a rare form of neuroblastoma cancer when he was a baby, is used to overcoming obstacles after enduring more than a dozen surgeries since his diagnosis. He was one of the youngest Relay for Life Honorary Survivors in Crawford County in 2001.
“Never tell yourself you can’t do something. Don’t give up because you can do anything you set your mind to,” Shaffer said.
Colonel Crawford High School Principal Jake Bruner said Shaffer has performed for both the elementary and middle school students.
“He has been a big hit with the students,” Bruner said. “They have really enjoyed his performances.”
Bruner said Shaffer’s project is an interesting one.
“It’s really amazing and he put a lot of work into it,” Bruner said.
Shaffer will graduate on Sunday and plans to attend the Mansfield regional campus of Ohio State University in the fall.