On Friday, June 1, the Director of “The President’s Own” Colonel Jason K. Fettig conferred a commission on newly-appointed Assistant Director Bryan Sherlock. Sherlock, a chief warrant officer 3 and former fleet Marine Corps band officer, was promoted to captain as he became the first Marine Band Assistant Director to be appointed from the officer corps of the Fleet Marine Force.

“I have wanted to conduct all my life,” Sherlock said. “I first began conducting in high school marching band as a drum major and really enjoyed that aspect of teaching band and orchestra later. When I joined the Marine Corps and saw the work of the Officer in Charge and director, I knew immediately that was the path I would follow.”

Sherlock attended the University of Evansville in Indiana and earned a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1991. In 1995 he earned a master’s degree in trombone performance from Butler University in Indianapolis and served as principal trombone in the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra while also performing in other orchestras and brass quintets. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 1996 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego as the Company Honor Graduate in 1998. Throughout his career he continued to flourish at the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, Va., and as part of leadership in several field bands and at The Basic School for Marine Officers in Quantico, Va.

Read Capt. Sherlock's Biography

Col. Fettig is looking forward to the leadership and perspective Capt. Sherlock will bring to the position as well as his continued growth as a musician and leader in “The President’s Own.”

“His experience and maturity have been evident since he joined us here at Marine Barracks Washington,” Col. Fettig said. “I have been so very impressed with his initiative and am very confident in his leadership abilities.”

Being stationed at Marine Barracks Washington is an honor for the captain. “I’m extremely proud to be a member of the oldest post in the Corps,” he said. “The history and traditions here are very important, and to actually be living the legacy is a privilege and an immense honor.”

As Assistant Director, Sherlock’s responsibilities include conducting the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra in their winter/spring concert series and summer concerts on the National Mall as well as at ceremonies in the national capital region and at the White House. Additionally, he serves as a supervisor for the acclaimed fall and winter Chamber Music Series, which features the virtuoso musicians of “The President’s Own,” as well as all pre-concert music.

According to Sherlock, the chamber music series will be give him a chance to, “really stretch my abilities and work with the band and orchestra to make some great music.” He is also excited to become more familiar with the orchestra and its repertoire. On conducting the band, Sherlock said, “It has already been a very enjoyable experience. The few times I’ve gotten to conduct already, I have just been smiling inside and out. The band is wonderful, and they make it easy to make music.”

“Quite honestly, it’s a dream come true,” he continued. “Conducting such an excellent group of musicians allows and in fact demands that I elevate my own musicianship. The challenge has motivated me and inspired me to a whole new level.”

Read more about Capt. Sherlock's first Marine Band concerts