NEIL LARRIVEE
Class of 2015
INSTRUCTOR / ARRANGER / MENTOR
Cadet Years: Percussion Front Ensemble Instructor, Director and Arranger
(1993-2008; 2019-2022)
HIS CADET STORY:
Neil Larrivee spent close to 20 years with the Cadet organization over the years. He started to write for The Cadets front ensemble in 1995.
According to Caption Head Tom Aungst, “His intense personality and commitment for detail came through in his writing. In my opinion Neil set the bar high for what a front ensemble can technically play and how well they can play it. I always told Neil that his writing was soloistic in style and at the same time very musical. His music always challenged the players technical skills. In the end when you were able to master his music it was incredible to listen too. He was always looking for the next level of playing. How can we be the best and how we can continue to be the standard. Even though he never marched in the Cadets Neil always stood for what it meant to be a Cadet.
Over the years as the front ensemble arranger for the Cadets Neil became one of the driving forces behind the Cadets winning the DCI Championships in 1998, 2000, and 2005. Also, because of his unique way of writing and commitment for excellence, Neil helped the percussion program at the Cadets win the high percussion award in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005. For almost 20 years, when people thought about the Cadet percussion program you always thought of Neil and Tom.”
In 2016, Neil was responsible for bringing together both the Zildjian and Vic Firth Education staffs into a single, fully integrated department. He was also responsible for drumstick and mallet product innovation for Zildjian, Vic Firth & Mike Balter Mallet brands.
Outside of Zildjian, Neil has over 40 years of music teaching experience within the marching band, drum corps, and indoor marching percussion activities as well as private lesson instruction resulting in his induction into.
Additional Awards:
Winter Guard International (WGI) Hall of Fame
Massachusetts Drum Corps Hall of Fame
World Drum Corps Hall of Fame
Music Educators Hall of Fame
