Ollis Greaves was tired of hearing, “No.”
As a band member at Plant City High School, the students wanted to start a drumline, but the administration killed the idea.
When he graduated and got a job at the high school to teach percussion, he wanted to start a drumline for the students, but again, the school denied him.
So, Greaves went out on his own and to strike up his own band. Last year, he unveiled Vanquish.
“Vanquish means to overcome or overpower,” Greaves said. “We were told we couldn’t do something on our own to stand out. I wanted to give kids the opportunity to do something they wouldn’t be able to.”
Vanquish currently boasts about 20 student musicians. Since it started, the group has performed in five competitions, a parade last year and two grand openings for McDonalds. Last week, Vanquish performed as part of the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Grand Parade.
“It’s always an honor for us to do something,” Greaves said. “It’s such a blessing.”
The group practices twice a week when preparing for parades and competitions.
“Practice is always a good time,” Greaves said. “We’re like family. Some of these students I’ve taught since middle school.”
There is no cost to join the group, but students must provide their own instrument and pay for competitions. The group does participate in fundraising and sponsorship activities. And although there are no age requirements for those who join the group, some exist at competitions.
Greaves has played the tuba, trombone and baritone, in addition to many percussion instruments, including the bass, tenor and snare drums and the xylophone.
“I’ve always had a passion for music,” Greaves said. “It’s always been a big part of my life. I got into it in school and then band and it basically took over.”
Greaves’ friend, Christopher Wetherington, helped him get together all the paperwork and insurance to start Vanquish.
“It was not as hard as we thought it would be,” Greaves said about starting the group. “We anticipated it would be hard, but once it came together, it went smoothly.”
George Russell, band director of Marshall Middle School, and Ian Peacock, of Plant City High School, also have been instrumental in launching Vanquish. Russell lends the group instruments on occasion and allows them to practice at Marshall. Other friends also help, including Carol Weathersbee, who helps with the uniforms, Rebecca and David Delph, Jenise Freeland, Mitch Boles and sponsors David Shulmister, Jeff Waller and Cross Pest Control.
“This has been something that was always on my mind, and I wanted to reach out to students in other aspects,” Greaves said.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
ABOUT VANQUISH
For more information on Vanquish contact Ollis Greaves at (813) 900-4773 or email him at vanquishdrumcorps@gmail.com. Find the group on Facebook at facebook.com/vanquish.drumcorps.