Derique Young

Derique Young was born in Port Arthur, TX, and served in the US Army as a Combat Field Artilleryman. His marching journey began with the Prairie View A&M University "Marching Storm" and the well-known PV McFunk BOX Drumline, where he proudly performed from 2008–2013, including the honor of marching in the 2009 Rose Bowl Parade. In 2010, he expanded his career into the drum corps world with Gulf Coast Sound Drum and Bugle Corps (DCA) on tenors, and that same year performed on synth with Imperial Percussion Theater (PIO) (WGI). In 2014, he helped create the Houston Rockets Drumline and performed on tenors. He later taught percussion at Sharpstown High School in Houston, where his students achieved multiple honors, including 1st place in Solo and Ensemble, Best Jazz Percussion, and several All-State medals.

On the international stage, he marched and performed with the Blue Devils International Corps, touring Europe, and in 2015, he performed with the Top Secret Drum Corps at the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland. In 2016, he became percussion arranger with Bayou City Blues Drum and Bugle Corps, where he proudly performed at DCI Southeast SoundSport and received a gold rating. More recently, he performed at the first-ever DCI All-Age Inaugural in 2024 with Fusion Core on snare, and in 2025, He marched with the Long Island Sunrisers, serving as Tenor Section Leader. Recently, he joined The Owen J Roberts Indoor Percussion,n where they won 1st Place at Mid-Atlantic Percussion Society and 5th place overall in WGI Scholastic A Division. He is the Tenor Technician for the upcoming Legacy Drum and Bugle Corps.

Academically, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Prairie View A&M University, and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Music Composition for Film, TV, and Games at Berklee College of Music.
He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National music fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma International Fraternity, Master Mason of Jacques Demolay Lodge #1390, Valley of Houston  Scottish Rite, Chapter and Council, Knight Templar at #2 Ruthven Commandery, and Zildjian Phi Zildjian.

As a performer, educator, and leader in the marching arts, his goal is not only to continue advancing his artistry but also to create opportunities for ensembles such as the Long Island Sunrisers to build musicians for the world of music that they are about to pursue!