2009 Instructional STAFF
Bob Buckner
Bob Buckner is currently in his eighteenth year as the Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. A graduate of WCU, Bob began his teaching career at Sylva-Webster High School in Sylva, NC where he produced nationally recognized marching, concert, and jazz bands. Among the countless awards the band received during his tenure were the “National Field Show Championship” at the Festival of States in St. Petersburg, FL and the title of “Grand National Champions” at the 1979 Bands of America National Competition. After leaving Sylva-Webster, Bob founded a band design and consulting firm, United Music Enterprises. Now in it’s twenty-ninth year, this company continues to create championship marching shows for bands throughout the United States.
In addition to maintaining his business, Bob returned to teaching in 1987 at East Tennessee State University where he served as Director of Bands until 1991. He returned to Western Carolina University in 1991 to take over the athletic band program. Under his leadership, the “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band has grown from less than ninety members to its current membership of over three hundred and has thrilled thousands with their innovative and exciting performances. These performances include Bands of America Regionals, Atlanta Falcon Football Halftimes, and the Bands of America Nationals in both 1998 and 2003. The band holds the distinction of being the only marching band ever selected to perform at the North Carolina Music Educators annual convention. The North Carolina Music Educators Association named Bob Buckner Advocate of the Year last November.
Bob’s professional service includes serving as chairman of the Western North Carolina Bandmasters, serving as secretary of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association, and serving Bands of America as both a Board of Advisors and Adjudication Committee member. Mr. Buckner is also a member of NBA.
Bob has served as an adjudicator, drill designer, guest conductor, and clinician throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He has served on the staff of the “Spirit of Atlanta” Drum and Bugle Corps and in 1993 was the drill designer for the DCI Division II National Champion “Carolina Crown.” In addition Bob wrote field shows for over twenty years for the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also served as a special consultant to the Walt Disney Company, where he started their popular “Future Corps” program and served on the Board of Advisors for “Magic Music Days.” Recently, Bob was selected to be by MENC the first Director and Show Coordinator for the first All American Band. He continues to consult with Pygrapics, Inc., the world’s leading drill design software producer. Bob was honored by Western Carolina University in 2003 by being chosen for the prestigious Paul A. Reid Distinguished Service Award for faculty. On March 10, 2004, the Music Educators National Conference named Bob as a Lowell Mason Fellow. Later the same week, Bob was installed into the Bands of America Hall of Fame. Bob’s professional affiliations include the NCMENC, MENC, CBDNA, the North Carolina Bandmaster’s Association, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Bob and his wife Donna reside in Waynesville, NC and are the parents of five adult children.
André Feagin
André Feagin is in his second year as Director of Bands at Watkins Overton High School in Memphis, TN where he teaches courses in music history and theory, conducts the wind symphony, outdoor performing ensemble, and oversees all aspects of the recruitment and development of a creative and performing arts band program.
Prior to his arrival at Watkins Overton High he served for two years a wind studies graduate assistant at the University of Memphis. He was a frequent guest conductor of the University wind ensemble, symphonic band, and served as conductor of the University concert band. In addition he served as an Assistant Director of athletic bands. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in performance, a Master of Music degree in instrumental wind conducting from the University of Memphis, and has done postgraduate work in education at Freed Hardeman University.
As a conductor, he has performed throughout the United States conducting performances in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, California, Texas, North Carolina, and New York. In 2004 he made his professional conducting debut with the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America. In addition, he was the winner of the National Band Association Young Conductors Competition. He considers Kraig A. Williams, Frank Wickes, and James Keene his mentors. He has participated in masterclasses with Michael Votta, Andrew Boysen Jr., Scott Wright, Richard Stoltzman, Craig Kirchhoff, Kevin Geraldi, John Locke, Kevin Sedatole, and has done additional study in conducting with Maestro Frederick Fennell. He continues to be in high demand as a guest conductor, and travels regularly conducting honor bands throughout the United States.
Mr. Feagin is an active clinician, program coordinator, adjudicator, and music arranger for some of the countries finest high school and university band programs. He is currently serving as the ensemble specialist and member of the brass staff for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. In 2007 he served as executive director, brass caption head, brass arranger, and program coordinator for the Division III World Champion Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to winning the high brass caption, DCI named him Division III Director of the year in 2007. Prior to his appointment at Memphis Sound, Mr. Feagin also served on the brass faculty for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He is a former four-year conductor of the Phantom Regiment (1998-2001), and is the recipient of the DCI Jim Jones Leadership Award (2000). He has worked with some of the country’s finest organizations in the field of marching pageantry including; Fred J. Miller, Inc., Bands of America, and The Phantom Regiment. He maintains active memberships in the Music Educators National Association (MENC), West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (WTSBOA), Tennessee Music Educators Association (TMEA), National Band Association (NBA), and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA). Mr. Feagin is a proud artist/endorser of Dynasty USA Inc.
Trey Harris
Mr. Trey Harris is a native of Green Cove Springs, Florida. He currently resides in Bassett, Virginia, with his wife Sheri and his daughter Anne Catherine. He has been the Director of Bands at Bassett High School for the last 11 years. While at Bassett, Mr. Harris has had great success through his Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Winter Guard, and Indoor Drum Line programs. His concert bands have received consistent Superior Ratings in Grades IV, V, and VI at the Virginia State Concert Band Festival. The marching band has successfully competed on a local, regional, and national level during his tenure at Bassett High School. His bands have been Class A champions at 12 different Bands of America Regional events and have been a Bands of America Grand National Semi-Finalist 7 times. The band placed 2nd and 3rd in the nation two
times in Class A at the BOA National event.
Mr. Harris is a 1995 graduate of East Tennessee State University where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree under the direction of Mr. Bob Buckner and Mr. Paul Hinman. He was a member of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991 and 1992. Mr. Harris also taught The Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps where he served as the visual caption head during the 1995-1997 seasons and brass caption head in 1999.
Carol Hayward
Dr. Carol Hayward is currently the director of the Falcon Marching Band at Bowling Green State University where she also conducts the Concert Band and teaches in the music education department. Dr. Hayward received a Masters degree in Music Education from The Ohio State University in 1994 and a doctorate in conducting from Ohio State in 2004. Before joining the faculty at Bowling Green, Dr. Hayward was the Doctoral Associate in Conducting at The Ohio State University. Dr. Hayward served as a high school band director for 21 years before returning to OSU to pursue her doctorate in 2001. During her high school teaching career, bands under her direction have performed at state conferences of the Ohio Music Education Association and the American School Band Directors Association, as well as at the national convention of the American School Band Directors Association.
Dr. Hayward was awarded the National Band Association “Citation of Excellence” in 2000 and received an Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate Award at The Ohio State University for 2002-2003. She is a recipient of the Merrill McEwen Award at BGSU for 2006. She is listed in Who’s Who Among American Teachers, is a member and past state chair of the American School Band Directors Association, and is a member of Phi Beta Mu, National Honorary Bandmasters Fraternity, the College Band Directors National Association, and the Ohio Music Education Association and MENC. Dr. Hayward currently serves as President of the Mid-American Conference Band Directors Association.
Under her direction, the Falcon Marching Band has grown to 220 members. The Band serves as a showcase of the finest in musical and visual performance, as well as a centerpiece for athletic spirit. The band is composed of students from all colleges of the University and membership is open by audition to students of all class levels and all majors from freshman to graduate. The largest student organization on campus, the Falcon Marching Band (FMB) performs at all home football games and various other university functions. They have also performed at professional football games at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, the Pontiac Silverdome, and Cleveland Browns Stadium, and many high school band festivals. Additional trips have included bowl games in Fresno, California (Raisin Bowl), Las Vegas, Nevada (Silver Bowl), Detroit, Michigan (Motor City Bowl), and Mobile, Alabama (GMAC Bowl). This year, the band is proud to have been invited to perform in exhibition at the Bands of America Regional in Indianapolis. Additional trips have included bowl games in Fresno, California (Raisin Bowl), Las Vegas, Nevada (Silver Bowl), Detroit, Michigan (Motor City Bowl), and Mobile, Alabama (GMAC Bowl), and in 2007 the band was invited to perform in exhibition at the Bands of America Indianapolis Regional.
Matt Henley
Matt Henley is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University, which includes assisting with the "Pride of the Mountains" and the two "Cathouse Bands". One of Mr. Henley's primary duties is the Marching Percussion Program at WCU. This includes teaching and arranging for the marching ensemble. Matthew earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music from Western Carolina University, and has played with and instructed such groups as the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, the Limestone College Percussion Studio, the Tuscola High School Percussion Program, Showband Gifhorn, and the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He is currently the Chief Percussion Judge for the Carolina Indoor Performance Association and has written for groups in Germany, Canada, Hawaii, and the Continental United States. In addition to his teaching duties, he composes, arranges, adjudicates, and is a prominent percussion clinician in the southeast. Mr. Henley is a member of CBDNA, MENC, IARP, PAS, and is an endorsed artist for Vic Firth and the Remo Corporation. He resides with his wife Angie and son Landon in Clyde, NC.
Jon Henson
Jon Henson is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. Some of his primary duties are to instruct and arrange for the rhythm section, or "Soul Train," and serve as the primary instructor for the front ensemble. Some of Jon's other duties include the management of all aspects of the "Pride of the Mountains" Electronics as well as developing media for the band program. He also works with the "Pride of the Mountains" two “Cathouse Bands.” Within the School of Music Jon teaches courses in Music Technology. During the spring semester he serves as Director of "Electric Soul." This ensemble consists of Vocalist, Horns, and a full Rhythm Section performing music from the 70s to the music of today! Outside of the "Pride of the Mountains" Jon is a sought-after percussion writer, adjudicator, and instructor for bands across the South East. He earned both his BSEd and MAEd degrees in music from Western Carolina University. Jon is a member of MENC, PAS, CBDNA, and is a Vic Firth Percussion endorsed artist.
Bert A. Johnson
Bert A. Johnson is Chair of the Music Department at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort Illinois. In addition to his department chair responsibilities, Mr. Johnson conducts the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band. He also directs the orchestra for the annual musical production and is the marching band director. Professionally, Mr. Johnson was a member of Disney’s Futurecorps in Orlando, FL, and The Disney College All-American Show Band in Anaheim, CA. His drum corps experience includes one season with Southwind and two seasons with the Santa Clara Vanguard. He has studied privately with Charles Daval, Arnold Jacobs, Malcolm McNab, Rick Baptist and Vinnie Dimartino. He has been a soloist for the Auburn University and University of Michigan Concert Band, Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Johnson was a staff member for three seasons with the Michigan Marching Band during which he consulted and designed halftime and post season bowl performances.
Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a minor in Music Theory, Literature and Trumpet Pedagogy from the University of Michigan and a Master of Education and Administration from Governors State University. Mr. Johnson currently is the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) District 1 Jazz Chair and is a Phi Mu Alpha Music Service Fraternity member.
Nola Jones
Dr. Nola Jones is the Director of Bands at the University of Tennessee Martin. Prior to her appointment at UT Martin, she served as the Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Northern Arizona University. A native of Mississippi, Dr. Jones has enjoyed a successful career as a middle school and high school band director in Mississippi and Tennessee. Dr. Jones received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Mississippi State University and the Master of Music Education degree from Mississippi College. She received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in wind band conducting from the University of South Carolina where she was a student of Dr. William J. Moody.
Dr. Jones serves as an active adjudicator and clinician for Bands of America, Drum Corps International, and Winter Guard International. Dr. Jones' professional affiliations include Music Educators National Conference, Tennessee Music Educators Association, West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, Phi Beta Mu, Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Sigma, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Bobby Lambert
Mr. Lambert joined the faculty of Marian Catholic High School in 2001. Prior to coming to Marian, Mr. Lambert was the graduate assistant in saxophone performance at the University of Massachusetts under the instruction of internationally known artist, Mr. Lynn Klock. Mr. Lambert also had the opportunity to guest conduct the University of Massachusetts Wind Ensemble and study conducting under Mr. Malcomb Rowell. While at UMass, Mr. Lambert performed in masterclasses for Kenneth Fisher and Eugene Rousseau and premiered compositions of jazz great Yusef Lateef.
Mr. Lambert received his Masters of Music in saxophone performance from the University of Massachusetts and his B.S. Ed in music education from Western Carolina University. While there, he served as drum major of the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band for three years. Mr. Lambert is a leadership clinician for high school musicians and athletes, teaching clinics for drum majors and other student leaders throughout the Southeast. He has also written a workbook for high school drum majors entitled From the Podium.
Mr. Lambert also works as a drill designer for United Music Enterprises with nationally known show designer Bob Buckner. He has written shows for colleges and universities across the country. His professional affiliations include MENC, IMEA and Phi Mu Alpha.
In addition to teaching leadership camps, Mr. Lambert is the director of the Leadership Center at Marian Catholic. The program, designed to mirror the student leadership in Marian Band, includes a leadership curriculum in which each member of the student body receives leadership training multiple times every week.
Mr. Lambert lives in Steger with his wife Alysia, who is Choir Director at Lincoln-Way East High School.
Mark Whitlock
Mr. Marc Whitlock serves as the Director of Bands for the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park in Canton, Michigan. Mr. Whitlock teaches the four concert bands at the high school, directs the marching band, teaches a percussion class, assists at the middle schools, and serves in all areas of the program. Under his direction, the band program has participated in the Bands of American National Concert Band Festival, is the current Michigan state champion for marching band, has been a national finalist at the BOA Grand Nationals competition in Indianapolis, and has earned superior ratings for concert band at the district, state, and national levels. Mr. Whitlock was also the recipient of the Plymouth High School “Marathon Award” for his outstanding work ethic and extra time spent outside of school helping students.
Prior to his appointment at PCEP, Mr. Whitlock served as the Director of Bands at Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas. Under his direction, the Hebron band was named Class AA Champion and Finalist in 2001 and 2002 at the Bands of America Regional Championships. The Hebron Band also achieved superior ratings at UIL state competition and earned the school’s first Sweepstakes Award in 2003.
Mr. Whitlock was formerly on the faculty at Marian Catholic High School and served as the Associate Director of Bands and the Percussion Director. While at Marian Catholic the band was named the Bands of America National Champion in 1994, 1997, and 2000. The band also represented the state of Illinois in Washington, DC for the 2001 Inauguration of President George W. Bush.
Mr. Whitlock earned his undergraduate degree from Morehead State University and is currently in graduate studies with the American Band College. He has also attended the conducting symposium at the University of North Texas. He has received Certificates of Commendation from the state of New Jersey and the state of Kentucky. Additionally, organizations such as Outstanding Young Men of America, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society of Education, and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers have also honored him.
Mr. Whitlock is the former brass manager for the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway production of “Blast!” and serves as a musical advisor as needed.
Mr. Whitlock has been actively involved in the drum corps activity since 1980, being a member of several corps including The Cadets. Since then he has been in demand as a clinician/teacher for many corps, such as the Star of Indiana, Phantom Regiment, Cavaliers, Cadets, Carolina Crown, and the Santa Clara Vanguard.
Mr. Whitlock has performed as a clinician, adjudicator, visual designer, percussion designer, and/or instrumental technician in forty states and Europe.
Guard Staff (provided by DCI)
Tim Newburn
Tim Newburn is the Director of Colorguards at both Langham Creek and Cypress Springs High Schools in Houston, TX. He also serves as the Caption Head and Designer for the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps of Toledo, Ohio. After dedicating the past five years to building those programs, Mr. Newburn is enjoying his new appointment as the Colorguard Coordinator for the Cypress Fairbanks ISD, which allows him to guide the development of the colorguard curriculum among the soon to be 10 high schools in his district. He has served as designer, consultant and clinician to countless programs throughout the United States for the past 15 years including Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment and longtime WGI competitor, Black Gold.
Mr. Newburn received his training from the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps and Escapade Winterguard. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Ball State University and is hard at work on his textbook for colorguard educators, The Art of Down-Up-Flat.
Guard Assistant—Ronnie Bynum
Ronnie Bynum is a native of Muncie, IN. Ronnie currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington. Ronnie works with at-risk youth in collaboration with Indianapolis Public Schools, which serves children in urban city communities.
Bynum is an alumnus of the Pride of Cincinnati (1997), Crown Gaurd (2000), and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (1995–1996).
2009 marks his 10th year of involvement with the Cavaliers. He was a former marching member of the color guard, has served as a flag technician, and will be entering his second year as the caption head for the color guard. In addition to his work with the corps, he also serves as a flag technician (2002–present) for the Center Grove Color Guard, from Greenwood, Indiana.