Bruce Gleason

Bruce Gleason is a Professor in the Department of Music, Film & Creative Enterprise at the University of St. Thomas, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD in Music Education from the University of Iowa, an MA from the University of Minnesota, a BA from Crown College, and additional credentials from the Armed Forces School of Music. His expertise spans military music history, cavalry music history, and music education history. Dr. Gleason has served in multiple administrative roles, including Director of International Education (2012–2014), Chair of Teacher Education (2014–2016), Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement in the College of Education (2016–2018), and Chair of Communication and Journalism (2018–2019). He is also the senior choir director at Diamond Lake Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

His research focuses on the historical roles of cavalry bands in U.S. military contexts, with notable publications in Music Educators Journal, Journal of Band Research, and Galpin Society Journal. His book Sound the Trumpet, Beat the Drums (2016) examines horse-mounted U.S. Army bands. Teaching responsibilities include Foundations of Music Education and supervising thesis projects in graduate programs.

Gleason’s work bridges historical scholarship and pedagogy, emphasizing the cultural and institutional contexts of music education. He has contributed to over 50 articles, many exploring intersections between military practices, music, and educational theory.