Composites: David Elgourt Marches to the Beat of His Own Drum

Composites is a video series exploring how interdisciplinary interests and perspectives are a fulcrum for next-level research in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Davis.   

(Mario Rodriguez/UC Davis)

When David Elgourt, a third-year electrical and computer engineering major at the University of California, Davis, isn't fiddling with computer parts or working at the Center for Nano- and Micro-Manufacturing, or CNM2, he can be found beating his snare drum and stepping in time to orchestrated renditions of songs like Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club" as a member of the UC Davis Marching Band. 

As an individual pursuing a future in computer parts and performing choreographed numbers to songs like Green Day's "Basket Case" and Muse's "Knights of Cydonia," at events like San Francisco's Chinese New Year and UC Davis football games, Elgourt is drumming up brilliance, thanks to dedication, hard work and practice. 

From Circuit Boards to Clean Rooms

Since Elgourt was young, he loved tinkering with stuff, taking apart electronics and toys to see how they worked and if he could put them back together. In high school, he had an Arduino kit he would mess around with; during the Covid-19 pandemic, he built his own computer. 

As an electrical and computer engineering major at UC Davis, Elgourt is advancing his future career by working in CNM2, the College of Engineering's state-of-the-art micro-nanofabrication facility, which enables processes like lithography, deposition and etching to be done at the nanoscale to support research.

As a member of staff — he joined earlier this year — Elgourt shows people how to use the electron microscope, maintains upkeep of the clean room and monitors the machine processes. 

"One of my favorite parts of working in CNM2 is being surrounded by researchers who are actively working in the field I want to pursue," Elgourt said. "It has really opened my eyes to the future career possibilities within my major, like semiconductor design, which is something I want to pursue after college." 

Drum Major Energy

Elgourt started playing the drums in middle school, around the same time he started messing around with his Arduino kit. When he entered high school, his mom encouraged him to join the marching band. 

"At first I didn't want to," Egourt admits. "But after a week of being in the band, I fell in love, and I've been a part of it ever since." 

Elgourt has played in the UC Davis Marching Band for the past two years, but this is his first year as a section co-leader, serving as the go-to person and role model for the 28 other players in the section. His duties include planning section practices, making sure everyone knows their core movements (the band term for choreography) and music (a repertoire of over 100 songs) and organizing bonding events for the section to get to know each other outside of marching band. 

Elgourt says he loves that the band is like a built-in group of people who have a common interest and that it allows him to play an instrument he loves with his closest friends, many of whom are not fellow engineering majors. 

"Band is a lot more than playing instruments. It's a [built-in] community of people, and in such a large group, you will meet someone you can be friends with," he said.  

Finding a Rhythm

Elgourt credits his ability to be successful in both marching band and engineering with time management, staying dedicated and lots of practice. Applying himself in that way, though, is worth it, to be able to be a part of both in a meaningful way. 

"Being in the band and my major take a lot of time. I've had to learn how to balance my academic and extracurricular activities to be able to do everything I'm doing, but the best part of [doing both] is being able to pursue both of my passions."