Donald Larsen

Don Larsen, a native Long Islander, holds a B.S. in Music Education from Hofstra University and an M.S. in Music Education from Queens College. He was a band director in the Hicksville Public Schools for 32 years having conducted concert bands at all levels. His bands have received consistently high ratings at NYSSMA and other festivals. While teaching at Hicksville High School, his percussion ensembles also received highest ratings at NYSSMA Festivals. He founded the after-school Jazz Ensemble program at the Middle School which has also received highest ratings at NYSSMA Festivals. He has been included four times in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” and received “Founders’ Day” honors and a “Scholars Dinner” award. Since retirement from the Hicksville Schools, he has also taught in the West Islip schools and Valley Stream District #24.

He has guest conducted for a SCMEA All County Festival and also with the Nassau County Diocesan Band.

He is an active free-lance percussionist who has performed with the Long Island Philharmonic, Atlantic Wind Symphony, Concert Pops of Long Island, Old Bethpage Village Brass Band, Long Island Choral Society, Mineola Choral Society, Waldorf Choral Society, Brookhaven Choral Festival, Choral Society of the Hamptons and several professional and community orchestras. He has also been active as a pit orchestra percussionist at the Engeman Theater in Northport, Gateway Theater in Bellport, Theatre Three in Pt. Jefferson, and with Plaza Productions. He has also performed with with Kristin Chenoweth, Natalie Merchant, Petula Clark, Freda Payne, Wynton Marsalis, Marvin Hamlisch, Jerry Vale, Frankie Laine, Eddie Fisher, among others.

He is a member of NYSSMA, AF of M-Local 802, Percussive Arts Society, where he served as 2nd VP of the NY State Chapter, NYSUT, NMEA, SCMEA, and NAFME. He is also a long-time NYSSMA Percussion Adjudicator.