Eckroth Music Center

Ernie Borr was a band director from Mandan, North Dakota who was an early supporter of the Eckroth Music store.  Ernie was on hand for the Eckroth Music Center's 40th anniversary party in July 2012 and recalled the early days of calling on the store to help him with his school band instruments and supplies.  Ernie began teaching band in 1953 and even after retiring he continued to lead community bands with a great love of his role in bringing music to others.

Bill Eckroth enjoyed being a band director in his home town of Mandan, North Dakota, just across the Missouri River from Bismarck.  He started out teaching junior high school students, many of whom he would meet later in his life after he decided, in 1972, to open a music store.  Along with his wife, Bill bought a small store from an older man who wished to retire.  Bill and Mary Ann built the business to serve several locations and as a true community hub for local musicians.

Mary Ann Eckroth quietly sat behind the desk working on the books while her husband Bill traveled to the local schools to help the band directors.  She took care of the customers and cleaned the store when he would travel for industry meetings, and she taught herself many of the business practices used today in operating the store they founded together back in 1972.  Her passion for supporting her husband and in running the best store she could has been an inspiration to many throughout the industry.  And like so many women in our industry who did the same for their businesses, Ma

Jeff Eckroth grew up surrounded by music retail, having been raised in the family business founded by his parents, Bill and Mary Ann Eckroth, in 1972. From an early age, Jeff was immersed in the industry, developing a love for music and a keen business sense that would later define his career. He played a key role in expanding the store’s combo business while working closely with his father to strengthen their support for school band programs in the region. His commitment to the industry extends beyond the family business, as he has actively contributed to organizations such as NA

Bill Larson served as a band director for over 35 years in Montana.  When he needed the support from a music store to service his bands, he called on Eckroth Music in Bismarck, ND.  Bill was so impressed by the help he received that he visited the store and got to know owners, Bill and Mary Ann Eckroth and later, their son Jeff.  After his retirement from band leading, Bill was offered a job at the Montana Eckroth stores to call on school programs providing the same services he once received from the same store!

Sherry Linnerooth took music lessons from Bill Eckroth, who would later open a music store in Mandan, North Dakoda.  When she later taught music in Bozeman, Montana, she called on Bill to supply her with accessories and music books.  Those orders increased so much that she could no longer work out of her home and was asked by Bill to open the first Eckroth store in Bozeman!  While working for the store she continued to play French Horn in the Bozeman Symphony. Later on she worked in the office of the symphony.

William Reynolds made his career designing signs and even a few monuments in and around Bismarck, North Dakota.  In 1977 he was hired by Bill and Mary Ann Eckroth to design their now famous logo for their music store.  The logo remains just as William had designed all those years ago.  Several decades later he was asked to work on another project for Eckroth Music, this time three statues to commemorate the store’s 40th anniversary.  The three statues were of middle school music students all playing horns and it was unveiled in July 2012 with 93 year old William Reynolds proudly a

Mathew Schirado can tell you the first music store he ever entered. As a kid he went into Eckroth Music in Bismarck, North Dakota, with his parents when he first joined the school band. When he was 18 he returned to purchase some reeds and saw a job opening, which he pursued. Beginning on a part-time basis Mathew began working in the business office and was mentored early on by Jeff Eckroth, the son of the founders. Jeff encouraged Mathew and fostered his interest and skills in computers, which led to Mathew upgrading the company’s network and its website.