Woodwind specialist, jazz aficionado, music educator and conductor David C. Eckert has an incredible passion for music and the people who perform it, and endeavors to share that love with as many people as possible. After graduating from John Marshall High School in San Antonio, TX in 1987, David began his studies in music theory and composition at The University of Texas at Arlington. David quickly realized that his strengths were in his skills as an instrumentalist so he focused his attention on performance and began playing professionally throughout the United States, Canada, and around the world. Prior to beginning a career in music education David was a full time musician and has worked for Sea World, Opryland Fiesta Texas, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Costa Cruises, and the Jack Morgan Orchestra, as well as the international touring company of the Broadway musical Grease. Among his many credits are performances with J.R. Robinson, Danny Seraphine, Gregg Bissonette, Chester Thompson, Russ Miller, Charo, Eric Estrada, Fred Travelena, Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Fabian, Chubby Checker, John Davidson, Jim Neighbors, Ben Vereen, Jon “Bowzer” Bauman, Davy Jones, The Fifth Dimension, The Four Tops, The Platters, Will Lee, Bobby Shew, Marvin Stamm, and Bob Dorough. David’s theater credits include Annie, Aint’ Misbehavin’, Anything Goes, A Chorus Line, A Christmas Carol, Evita, Fiddler On The Roof, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Music Man, Singing In The Rain, The Sound of Music. South Pacific, Titanic, West Side Story, and The Wiz.

In 2000 David received his Bachelor of Music Studies Degree and in 2012 received his Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting, both from The University of Texas at San Antonio. David was employed by Northside Independent School District in 2000 as an assistant band director at Jack C. Jordan Middle School, where he worked for three years. In 2003 became assistant director at Oliver Wendell Holmes High School, and in 2005 was promoted to the position of Head Band Director. In June of 2008 David accepted the position of associate band director at New Braunfels High School and is currently in his ninth year in that position. David’s responsibilities at New Braunfels High School include assisting with the marching program, the colorguard program, and the percussion program, conducting two separate ensembles and assisting with two others, teaching the AP® Music Theory course, teaching the jazz ensemble, and acting as campus coordinator for the school’s chapter of Texas Future Music Educators, as well as performing the various clerical, campus, and district duties associated with being a teacher. Bands under the baton of Maestro Eckert and with which he has been affiliated have received consistent superior ratings at contests and festivals across the state of Texas. In 2013 the New Braunfels High School band program was invited to participate in the National Youth Concert at Carnegie Hall. David is a past member and Sergeant at arms of Kappa Kappa Psi honorary band fraternity, and was a founding member and Sergeant at arms of Mu Beta Sigma, the Alpha chapter of the honorary music fraternity at U.T.S.A. David’s teaching accolades include: 2000-2001 Jack C. Jordan Middle School First Year Teacher of the Year, September 2004 Oliver Wendell Holmes Teacher of the Month, April 2017 New Braunfels High School Teacher of the Month, and has been selected to Who’s Who in American Teachers three times. David’s professional affiliations include Texas Music Educator’s Association, Texas Bandmaster’s Association, Winterguard International, Texas Educational Colorguard Association, American Federation of Teachers, United States Scholastic Band Association, Jazz Education Network, Texas Jazz Educators Association, Technology Institute for Music Educators, and The Conductors Guild.