History of Mansfield Bands

Mansfield State Normal School gave out its first music degree in 1880,  23 years after the start of the school.  Eight years later the first band was established.

In 1926, Mansfield State Normal School was changed to Mansfield Teachers College.  Under the musical direction of John Myers, the all female school continued bringing music to Mansfield.

By 1941, the country was involved in World War II.  Mansfield created an all female ensemble called the Mansfield War Year's Band.

The first Mountie Marching Band performed in 1949 under the direction of Bertram Francis.  Four years later, Mr. Francis started the wind ensemble.  He continued teaching and contributing to music at Mansfield until the 1970's when Richard Talbot took over the marching band and Donald Stanley took over the wind ensemble.  Donald Stanley retired in 1992 after 21 years at Mansfield.

Over the next couple of years, the wind ensemble was under the direction of Ted Rounds, David Borsheim and Joseph Murphy.  In 1995, Adam Brennan became Director of Bands at Mansfield University and helps the Mansfield bands' tradition of excellence continue today.  As a result of the dedicated work of many musicians and instructors, the wind ensemble and Pride of Pennsylvania Mountie Marching Band have soared to new levels.