MANSFIELD, PA— “The Spirit & The Pride of Pennsylvania” Mansfield University Marching Band and “The Commandant’s Own,” The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps were at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA on Saturday, October 11 to perform and also to be part of honoring someone with deep connections to both units, Major Brian Dix.
Dix, a 1982 Mansfield graduate who is director of “The Commandant’s Own,” was inducted into the Mansfield Music Wall of Fame with a surprise presentation.
MU Director of Bands Adam Brennan did the honors as MU President Fran Hendricks ’79 and Alumni Association President Jeff Howe ’04 looked on and the Mansfield Band played the Marine Corps Hymn followed by the Mansfield fight song.
“To have a scholarly music director along with a university president travel together for this presentation is a huge personal honor and quite humbling,” Dix said. “Many thanks to all.”
“Major Dix represents everything to which our department aspires: excellence, integrity, service, character, and scholarship,” Brennan said. “As a musician, scholar, leader, and composer, Major Dix sets a standard for our students, both past and present, who want to make a positive and lasting impact on our culture. We salute Major Dix for all he has accomplished and for the example of excellence he’s embodied over the course of his career.”
Dix has been commander of the Marine Drum & Bugle Corps since 1998. As the fourth director since its inception in 1934, he has expanded the Corps’ extensive repertoire, composing original music honoring American heroes. His musical message of the Marine Corps has been experienced by countless millions through live performances worldwide and on national television broadcasts.
In 2010, following a Presidential appointment to the rank of Major, Dix assumed full command of The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. He also serves as Commander of the Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment, which includes “The Commandant’s Own,” the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps.
It was performing at the “Echoes in the Valley” Band Festival at Cumberland Valley H.S. that brought the Mansfield and Marine units together. David Porter, a 2005 MU graduate, is band director at Cumberland Valley and hosted the event.