Biography

Colonel Bruce R. Pulver hails from Melbourne, Fla.. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied conducting with Dr. Thomas Fraschillo, and a Master of Music Education degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., where he studied with Dennis Zeisler.

Colonel Pulver has served the Nation in uniform for over 30 years. He has represented the Army in 37 countries and territories around the world, as well as in 44 of the contiguous U.S. States, plus Hawaii and Alaska.

As Leader and Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” Colonel Pulver regularly performs for Presidential events at the White House, Congressional events at the U.S. Capitol, for Senior Military Leaders at the Pentagon, and Memorial services and ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. He led “Pershing’s Own” in historic events, including the State Funeral for President Jimmy Carter, the 60th Presidential Inauguration, the NATO 75th Anniversary Summit, and the Army’s 250th Birthday.

From 2008-2012, Colonel Pulver was Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Field Band. During his tenure there, he performed on over a dozen national tours, at the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, at the American Bandmasters Association, in a joint 4th of July concert with the Boston Pops, and at the 56th Presidential Inauguration.

From 2012-2015, Colonel Pulver commanded the U.S. Army Europe Band & Chorus in Germany. In that capacity, he performed for major international events across the European continent, including the 70th Anniversary of D-Day at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.

From 2015-2022, Colonel Pulver served as Commandant of the U.S. Army School of Music. There, he led the Staff & Faculty in developing and delivering training to over 3,000 new Soldiers in the Active Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard, as well as NCO and Officer advanced courses. In 2021, Colonel Pulver was named Chief of Army Bands, responsible for overseeing all Army Bands worldwide.

Colonel Pulver has been awarded the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, and numerous other military decorations, including the NATO Medal, the National Defense Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Additionally, he has earned the Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and German Schützenschnur Marksmanship Badge in Gold.

Before entering military service, he taught in the Mississippi public schools as a high school and middle school band and choral director.

Colonel Pulver is a member of the National Band Association and previously served on the Executive Council as the Military Bands Representative. He is a recipient of the Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence, awarded by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, and was inducted in 2024 into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.

Colonel Pulver and his wife, Dianne, have two children. Their daughter is a music educator in Houston, Tex., and mother to their two grandchildren. Their son is a Captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.