Sergeant First Class Derek Stults holds a Master of Music degree from DePaul University, a Bachelor of Music degree in both Performance and Education from The Hartt School of the University of Hartford, and a Professional Studies Diploma in orchestral studies-percussion from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. His principal teachers have been Michael Osrowitz, Ben Toth, Ted Atkatz, Vadim Karpinos, Eric Millstein, and Ed Harrison. He has also studied Arabic hand drumming with Glen Velez. In 2009, Sgt. 1st Class Stults was a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. He also participated in the Pacific Music Festival in Japan, the National Repertory Orchestra, and the Aspen Music Festival. Sgt. 1st Class Stults was Principal Percussionist with the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra and was a member of the Southwest Michigan Symphony, the Evansville Philharmonic, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Since 2011, he has freelanced in the Washington, DC area and has been a regular substitute with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
The Concert Band, the oldest and largest of The U.S. Army Field Band’s five ensembles, has performed for over 100 million people worldwide since its founding in 1946. This elite 65-member group has toured across all 50 states and 25 countries, performing in venues ranging from the Berlin Philharmonie and Carnegie Hall to state fairs and high school gyms. Often joined by the Soldiers’ Chorus, the band presents marches, overtures, popular and patriotic music, and solos. They’ve collaborated with renowned orchestras like the Boston Pops and Detroit Symphony and participated in presidential inaugurations and diplomatic events, embodying American pride and professionalism in every performance.