Finish for wood (box) drum ideas

I am building log/box drums for the high school band and need ideas about what finish would work best. The box is made of walnut. The top will be beat on with rubber mallets so I need a finish that will hold up. I was thinking of danish oil being it will penetrate but also have some varnish to protect. I don’t know if a straight poly would hold up to beating. Any ideas?

-- Jim, SE Tennessee, "Don't spare the kindling Dear, we have plenty"