Larry Eckert Jr. has been participating in drum and bugle corps activity since 1969, in administration, judging, instruction and performance capacities. He won the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) cymbal championship in Individual and Ensemble competitions in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2008. His first involvement was with the Deacon Red Berets American Legion drum corps in Walden, New York, playing bass drum from 1969 to 1973. He was bass drummer with the Florida, New York American Legion band for almost two decades from 1973 to 1991. During that time, he held a number of other positions. He played bass drum with Hudson Raiders senior drum and bugle color guard in Newburgh, New York from 1977 to 1979. For the next five years, he played bass drum and also served as quartermaster and driver with the Criterions senior drum and bugle corps of Newburgh. From 1981 to 1986, he marched in the honor guard of the Poughkeepsie, New York O. H. Booth fife and drum corps. He began playing cymbals in 1986, performing for two years with Hawthorne Caballeros. In the same year, he began serving as president of the Hudson Valley Region (New York) chapter of the Tri-State Musical Parade Judges Association, judging musical units in parades in general effect, marching and music captions. In 1989 and 1990, he was show co-ordinator, instructor and served as a staff member with Hudson Valley All-Stars, a Drum Corps International (DCI) corps. He returned to the cymbals in 1994, performing with 20th Century Ltd. senior corps of Newburgh. From 1996 to 1998, he served as quartermaster and business manager of the Ambassadors of New York, of Ellenville, while also playing cymbals. He marched with the Macy’s All Star Drum and Bugle Corps, playing cymbals, in 1996. In 1998 and 1999, he worked with Hall of Fame founder Vince Bruni, teaching drill and music to the Valley Central High School Band of Montgomery, New York. From 1998 to 2004, he was director of the percussion ensemble of Ambassadors of New York. He has played cymbals with Hawthorne Caballeros alumni corps since 1998. In 2009, he played cymbals with the Tri-State All-Star Band in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade. He also played cymbals with the Hobo’s “Almost” Marching Band in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
