Bruce Pearson is a world-renowned music educator, composer, author, and conductor. He is perhaps best known for his authorship of the Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method and for his co-authorship with Dean Sorenson of the widely-acclaimed Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method and Advanced Jazz Ensemble Method (Neil A. Kjos Music Company), which are currently regarded as the two most significant publications for beginning band and jazz band instruction. In addition to Standard of Excellence, Mr. Pearson is widely known for his first contribution to the band curriculum, Best In Class and as composer of many widely performed compositions for concert band and jazz ensemble.
He has led clinics in all fifty states of the United States and has been guest conductor and clinician, by invitation, of countries throughout the Pacific Rim, Asia, Europe, and the Canadian provinces. In the United States and abroad he has conducted many All-State and Honor Bands. He has appeared as guest lecturer at over a hundred colleges and universities, and has been well-received as keynote speaker for In-Service Workshops, as well as for State and National Music Educator Conferences.
Bruce Pearson’s teaching experience includes over three decades at the elementary, middle school, junior high, high school and college levels, where he consistently produced award-winning bands.
Twice nominated for the prestigious Excellence In Education Award, he was recognized as "most outstanding in the field of music" for the state of Minnesota. In December, 1998, Mr. Pearson, "in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music education", was awarded the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Director's Clinic - Medal of Honor. In 2001, he received St. Cloud State University's Distinguished Service To Music Award "in appreciation for lifelong contribution to music and music education" and in 2007, St. Cloud State University selected him to receive The Distinguished Alumni Award. Also in 2007 the Maryborough Music Conference selected Bruce Pearson as the first patron in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Maryborough Music Conference and Music Education in the Queensland (Australia) Schools. Additionally, he has also been the recipient of numerous awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
He holds membership in the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA), Minnesota Band Director’s Association (MBDA), Music Educators National Conference (MENC), International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE), American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), National Band Association (NBA), and Christian Instrumental Directors Association (CIDA) and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).
