Truman C. Bullard, 85, of Carlisle, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at his home.  He was born on September 17, 1938, in Rochester, NY. He was the son of the late Charles F. Bullard and Melanie (Truman) Bullard.

Truman Bullard graduated from The Harley School in Rochester, earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Haverford College, a Master's degree in Music History from Harvard University, and his PhD in Musicology from The Eastman School of Music (of The University of Rochester). His dissertation revealed the context of a famous musical event: "The First Performance of Igor Stravinsky's 'Sacre du Printemps' [Rite of Spring]." Truman was an award-winning Professor of Music at Dickinson College from 1965 to 2000. He directed two choral ensembles there: the Dickinson College Choir and the smaller, more select, Chamber Choir; and he taught courses in music history and theory, including the history of jazz. From 1976 to 2014, he served as Visiting Professor of Musicology in summer sessions of The Eastman School of Music, where he taught graduate courses in his area of specialization, Russian Music and Culture.

Truman Bullard was a beloved community musician, educator, and mentor—an avid participant and promoter of music and the arts in the greater community in which he lived. Organizations in which he has played a part include The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, The Buzz Jones Big Band, The Dickinson Orchestra, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The Eaken Trio, The Harrisburg Choral Society, The Central Pennsylvania Symphony, Cantate Carlisle, The Carlisle Town Band, The Messiah University Wind Ensemble, and Project Share.  He was a faithful member of St. John's Episcopal Church (Carlisle), where he often served as interim organist. Both at his church and in countless other contexts and venues in our area, Truman contributed his talents as conductor, keyboardist, bassoonist, lecturer, and composer. Truman was on the Boards of Directors of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and of Market Square Concerts.  He served as Vice President of the latter organization until the time of his death.

Truman enjoyed gardening, walking, cooking, baking, traveling, and reading (especially with his book group). His musical activities included the following: concert going, which sometimes neared marathon levels (he had season tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra for over 20 years, with which he attended 10-12 yearly events); creating arrangements for the next gig (one can experience on YouTube, for example, his arrangement of "September Song" for voice [James Martin], flute [Beth Bullard], and piano [Truman Bullard]); and playing his instruments daily (piano and bassoon, but also recorders and ocarinas). His daily piano playing—for himself—consisted primarily of gems from the Great American Songbook (updated to include works by Billy Joel, the Beatles, etc.) and hymns arranged in piano gospel style. The last music left on his piano was an arrangement by Dennis and Lienhard of "Dancing on the Ceiling" by Richard Rogers. Above all, Truman loved making and maintaining friendships. Wherever he went in the world, he garnered new friends, as partly evidenced by his over 2,000 friends on Facebook, and otherwise demonstrated by the thousands of outpourings of love and appreciation toward him at his passing.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Beth A. (Baehr) Bullard; two sons, (Charles) Martin Bullard and his wife Marta Janer of Seattle, WA, and Dexter G. Bullard of Chicago, IL; his sister, Leonore and her husband Lee Wiltse of Rochester, NY;  his sister-in-law Dee David of Lottsburg, VA; and four grandchildren: Gemma Janer Bullard, Gossamer Bullard, Zephyr Bullard, and Cosmos Bullard.  He was preceded in death by his brother James V. Bullard.

A memorial service on Tuesday, April 9, will begin with the musical prelude fifteen minutes prior to the opening of the service at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church (1A N. Hanover St., Carlisle, PA 17013), with the Reverends Adam Kradel and Melissa Wilcox officiating. Parking is available at the Pomfret Street Parking Garage, 35 W. Pomfret Street. The service will be livestreamed. Go to www.stjohnscarlisle.org (main page toward the bottom). The family will greet friends following the service at a reception at Dickinson College in the Social Hall, located in the Holland Union Building (28 N. College Street) on the corner of W. High and N. College Streets. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in his memory to one or more of these music funds at Dickinson College: (1) The Truman Bullard Scholarship Fund and (2) The Beth and Truman Bullard Performance Series Fund. Go to https://our.dickinson.edu/gift . www.EwingBrothers.com .  Portrait by Bookwalter Photographics.