Western Carolina University

Bob Buckner, director of athletic bands at Western Carolina University, won the 2007 Music Education Advocate Award from the North Carolina Music Educators Association.

The annual award recognizes people who have demonstrated exceptional support and advocacy for music and the arts in North Carolina.

Buckner (pictured), a resident of Waynesville, joined the WCU faculty in 1991 and works with musical groups on campus including the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band.

Buckner has served as chairman of the Western North Carolina Bandmasters, secretary of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association and member of advisory and adjudication committees for Bands of America. He also has served as an adjudicator, drill designer, guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

He received WCU’s Paul A. Reid Distinguished Service Award for faculty in 2003. He was honored by MENC: The National Association for Music Education as a Lowell Mason Fellow in 2004. He also was installed into the Bands of America Hall of Fame.

In addition, Buckner recently helped launch the first-ever, high-school All-American Marching Band and served as show coordinator and director of the ensemble, which performed Jan. 5 at the annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl game in San Antonio.

For information about Western’s Pride of the Mountain’s Marching Band, go to http://www.prideofthemountains.com/ or call Bob Buckner at (828) 227-7608.

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Last Modified: Monday, Jan. 14, 2008