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Despite piles of hand-made ukuleles sitting at the ready, not a single one was played.

Instead, there was a symphony of sawing, shaving, and sanding as about a dozen volunteers, led by Red Rocks Community College instructor of lutherie (the practice making stringed instruments such as guitars, harps, and ukuleles), Seth Gustin, built the instruments for hospital patients undergoing music therapy.

“Music heals,” said Gustin. “It’s trite but true.”

Gustin, who learned how to build wooden instruments while on the road as a construction worker, organized the project. Though he’d organized similar events for high school students, Gustin had never before challenged college volunteers to hand-build 20, fully-functional, ukuleles over spring break.

Cooper Miles was one of the student volunteers spending his spring break building ukes.

Miles, a high school sophomore, is currently studying in the Red Rocks Community College Fine Woodworking department, though his studies focus on fine furniture instead of instruments.

However, as a passionate woodworker with a love for music, Miles has found lutherie to be a calming, rewarding experience.

“A big difference between fine furniture and lutherie is you probably get to hear how it sounds in the end,” said Miles. “It’s just so cool.”

Read more at rmpbs.org

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