Patrick Henry High School (PHHS) sophomore and Life Scout Josh Brookens (pictured above by chime with his arms folded) recently unveiled his Eagle Scout project — a playable chime set located in the San Carlos Community Garden’s (SCCG) native plant area.  

The musical instrument includes seven chimes set on a pentatonic scale which, according to music lesson site Simplifying Theory, is a collection of notes from either the major or minor scales’ 7 note arrangement. 

The making of his chime set, which uses notes from the C major scale, was made possible with the help of his family, scout members and leaders, garden board members and volunteers, musician leaders and countless others. 

“It all started with doing some online 3-D modeling of what the chime set will look like,” Brookens said. “After I prepared for my presentation to the council of adults, I started building the project.” 

The chime’s construction, which began in November, was completed with the help of his grandfather. “My grandfather builds a lot of stuff — he builds houses, cars, boats and other things. Gradually, whenever we had spare time, we worked an hour here, an hour there.” 

The inspiration for the instrument originated from his love for music. 

“I’m very musically oriented,” Brookens explained. “I’ve played piano since I was in first grade. I’ve played the trumpet since fourth grade. I’m in lots of musical bands. I play the piano in a rock group that I created with my friends and we call ourselves ‘Black Garnet.’ I’m also in the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory. I’m in one of Gilbert Castellanos groups — I play the trumpet there. I’m in various band groups with my school, I’m in a trumpet quartet, a small jazz combo, and a large jazz band. I’m in pit orchestra, marching band and I’m in my church band — I play the trumpet for all of those.” 

Former SCCG Board Chair Carol Lockwood also helped Brookens brainstorm ideas for his Scout project. 

“[Lockwood] wants there to be a more musical atmosphere at the [SCCG] and now with the musical chime set, I think it will add to the musical dimensions in the garden,” Brookens said. 

With the help of the Scouts Jedidiah Tabbert, Westley Tabbert, Cooper Provins, Daniel Webb-King, Enrique de Castro as well as his Dad Scott Brokens, Mom Susanne Brookens, Doug Provins and Doug Brookens, he was able to begin installing the chime on Jan. 15.  

“We’ve just been digging holes with the digging bar and shovels,” Webb-King said. “It got a bit rocky at the end, we’re basically mining at this point but it’s still been going really well and we’re having a good time.” 

Westley Tabbert shared that he “dug holes and ate donuts.” De Castro, who also assisted with hole digging, helped Brookens with the chimes’ digital design.  

While breaking ground, Brookens commented that he was grateful for the team effort and that “[his] workers [were] doing a really great job.”

Although there was a group collaboration during the installation process, an equal amount of work took place prior, said Susanne Brookens. She detailed her involvement in helping her son keep track of the Eagle Scout project rules, writing the proposal and practicing his presentation. “I’m definitely the behind-the-scenes person,” she said. 

“I’ve just felt so fortunate that he could have his project [at the SCCG],” Susanne continued. “It’s nice that he found a project that he felt was within his skillset and that my husband felt comfortable supervising. Carol knew that [Josh] liked music so that was great that she worked with him to find a project that he could not only do but was really excited about.” 

His chimes are one in a series of Eagle Scout projects now housed in the SCCG. Information support site ScoutSmarts explained that Eagle Scout projects include the culmination of each lesson learned throughout the years in scouting. 

“Scouts offer a safe space for people to learn from their mistakes,” said Scott Brookens. “The Eagle Scout is really run by the scout. My role is letting [Josh] take the lead on things, offer suggestions and let him try new things.”  

As a current Life Scout, Brookens’ completed project is one of the many requirements involved in becoming an Eagle Scout. Additionally, he said that completing merit badges, six months of leadership, a community service project and going through board review all while displaying Scout spirit are all part of this process.   

For prospective Scouts and project builders Brookens shared the following advice, “It is important not to rush any project you do. Also, you should be open-minded. Consider multiple ways to build it.” 

Although designing, constructing and overseeing the chime’s production will help in achieving his current and future Scout goals, for Brookens, the instrument is really about wanting others to play, listen, enjoy and experiment with music.

Photo credit: Jessica Mills