2008 Instructional STAFF
Bob Buckner
Bob Buckner is currently in his seventeenth 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.
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.
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, Bob was honored by the Music Educators National Conference 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.
Greg Bimm
Greg Bimm has been director of bands at Marian Catholic High School since 1977. Under his direction, the Marian Band has grown from 70 to over 280 members, earned hundreds of awards and honors, and become one of the premier high school band programs in the United States. Included in the list of honors are numerous consecutive superior ratings in the Illinois High School Association’s Organization Contest, accepted every eligible year since 1982 for performance at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Contest, undefeated since 1981 at the State of the Art Chicago-land Catholic Band Contest and three times named the Outstanding Catholic High School Concert Band in the United States by the National Catholic Bandmasters Association. Also, Marian’s Marching Band is undefeated in its class in Illinois State competition since 1980 and has been named Bands of America Summer National Champion five consecutive years and Bands of America Grand National Champion in 1985, 1987, 1988,1989, 1994, 1997, and 2000 (The only band ever to win more than three times). Marian Bands have performed in exhibition at the NBA conventions in 1986 and 1992, the BOA Summer Conference in 1989, and the IMEA All-State convention in 1990, 1997, and 2005. The Symphonic Band has performed at the BOA National Concert Band Festival in 1992, 1995 and 1998. In 1991, the Symphonic Band was named the recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, and in 1997,the Marian marching band was the recipient of the Sudler Shield becoming one of only three bands to hold both the flag and shield.
Mr. Bimm has received five National Band Association Citations of Excellence and a NBA Certificate of Merit, was named the 1983 national winner of the ASBDA Stanbury Award for Young Band Directors, and received the Sudler Order of Merit from the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 1991 and 1997. In 1995, Mr. Bimm was the first high school band director in twenty-five years invited to conduct the Illinois All-State Band. In 1999, Mr. Bimm was among the first to be awarded the “Mary Hoffman” Award of Excellence by the Illinois Music Educator’s Association, and in 2000 was recognized for contribution and support to art education by the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education. More recently, Mr. Bimm has been honored with memberships to such prestigious organizations as the American Bandmasters Association in 1994, the Bands Of America Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2006 the Lowell Mason Fellowship from MENC.
Mr. Bimm holds degrees from Illinois State and Western Illinois Universities. His professional affiliations include ABA, ASBDA, IMEA, MENC, NCBA, NBA, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha. He is a current member and past chairman of the Bands of America Advisory Board, has served on the Illinois High School Association Music Advisory Committee and has served as Band Division chairman, District I and state equipment manager for IMEA.
In constant demand, Mr. Bimm has performed as conductor, clinician, adjudicator, drill writer, or music arranger throughout the United States and Canada.
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.
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 2002-2203. 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.
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. This includes working with the “Pride of the Mountains” and two “Cathouse Bands.” Some of Jon’s primary duties are composing for and directing the WCU “Soul Train” as well as managing all electronics used within the “Pride of the Mountains”. He is also a sought after percussion writer 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 an Innovative 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.
<p>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.
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.
Tom Stites
Thomas A. Stites is in his twenty-first year as director of bands at Science Hill High School. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and East Tennessee State University. In addition to his duties at Science Hill, he also has served as assistant conductor of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra for six years and as music director and conductor for the past two years.
The Science Hill High School Marching Band is highly competitive in regional and national events with many sweepstakes awards. Major national events include two appearances in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, and the Waikiki Holiday Parade. The total band program at Science Hill numbers over 350 students.
Recent concert highlights at Science Hill have included two concert band performances at the Tennessee Music Educators Association state convention, performance at the National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, the National Adjudicators Invitational in Chattanooga, TN, and last year’s performance by two bands in the New York Wind Band Festival held in Carnegie Hall.
Prior to arriving at Science Hill, Mr. Stites was band director at The Marist School in Atlanta, GA and began his career at Sylva-Webster High School in Sylva, NC. He has a total of thirty years of teaching experience. He is active as a clinician and adjudicator in concert and marching festivals. Mr. Stites holds professional memberships in the Tennessee Music Educators Association, The East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, The American School Band Directors Association, and Phi Beta Mu. The Stites family lives a musical life with wife Debbie a professional clarinetist, son Jonathan a trumpet TA at Florida State University, and daughter Katherine an oboe performance major at Baldwin-Wallace Music Conservatory.
Mark Whitlock
Mr. Marc Whitlock serves as the Director of Bands for the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park in Canton, Michigan. Mr. Whitlock duties include teaching the four concert bands at the high school, directing 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)
Jamie Oakley
Jamie Oakley is from Chicago, IL and is the Color Guard Caption Head for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. Jamie marched with the Cavaliers from 1991-1994 and marched winter guard with Escapade Winter Guard in 1994 and 1995. After ageing out, he has taught numerous high schools, drum corps (including the Bluecoats in 1995), and winter guards across the country including Lincoln-Way High School, Silverado High School, Independence Winter Guard, and Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.
He is currently the Color Guard Director at Marian Catholic High School, the seven-time BOA Grand National Champion and three-time WGI Scholastic Open Finalist. Jamie is a guest designer for McCormick's Enterprises and for Marching Show Concepts and owns his own business, Oakley Designs, which supplies numerous groups with custom color guard uniforms and flags.
Jamie has a Bachelor's Degree in French and Sociology from DePaul University and is currently studying for his Master's Degree in Education from DePaul also.
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.