Eric Sheffler

Eric Sheffler retired from the United States Army in June of 2017 after 34 years of service. He ended his career serving in the United States Military Academy Band, West Point, New York. While at West Point, he served as Drum Major of the Marching Band as well as Section, then Element Leader, of the Hellcats – a field music group comprised of piccolos, bugles, and drums.

Under his leadership, the Hellcats performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Drum Corps International Finals, the Highland Military Tattoo in Ft. George, Scotland, with the New York Philharmonic, both the Boston and New York Pops, and on numerous local and national broadcast television programs originating out of New York City.

He marched in the Hutchinson Jets, Sky Ryder feeder corps, in 1972 and then in the Sky Ryders from 1973 until 1980 serving as percussion section leader in his final year. Eric stays current in the marching and concert percussion communities by serving as Percussion Specialist at Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas. He also adjudicates Marching Arts competitions independently across the country as well as with USBands and the MCCGA indoor circuit. He adjudicates state solo and ensemble festivals in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Eric performs with the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, Kansas City Wind Symphony, and Pinnacle Winds. He, his wife Jerrilynn, and their two 4-legged friends, Max and Suki, reside in Overland Park, Kansas.