2001 NIB Conductor Colonel L. Bryan Shelburne Jr.
Director, The U.S. Army Concert Band, “Pershing’s Own“
When Colonel L. Bryan Shelburne, Jr. assumed command of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” he became only the sixth appointee to serve as leader and commander since the band’s formation in 1922. Col. Shelburne holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Hardin-Simmons University and a Master of Music Degree from Arizona State University. His professional playing includes six seasons as trombonist with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra and work with the Phoenix Symphony. Col. Shelburne’s previous assignments have included executive officer and associate director of the Armed Forces Bicentennial Band, commander of the Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe Band and he twice served as commandant of the Army Element, Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. Most recently, Col. Shelburne commanded the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. Since assuming command, Col. Shelburne led “Pershing’s Own” at the 1990 Economic Summit of the Industrialized Nations in Houston and at the Swedish Army Tattoo in Strängnäs, Sweden, in 1990 and at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1994. In 1993, he conducted The Band during the “Nationale Taptoe,” in Breda, Holland, and in 1994, at “The Viking Ship” Olympic Hall in Hamar, Norway, during the Norwegian Military Tattoo. Under the scrutiny of thousands from around the world, Col. Shelburne conducted “Pershing’s Own” and an array of foreign performers during the 1996 Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland. Col. Shelburne is a member of the American Bandmasters Association and serves on the board of directors for The John Philip Sousa Foundation. He was named by Hardin-Simmons University in Texas as a Centennial Year Distinguished Graduate and serves as the university’s distinguished visiting lecturer. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and three awards of the Army Commendation Medal. The PODIUM, Fall 2000—25
