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.” 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, 2005, Bob was honored by the Music Educators National Conference as a Lowell Mason Fellow. Bob’s professional affiliations include the NCMENC, NAfME, CBDNA, the North Carolina Bandmaster’s Association, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Bob Buckner is currently in his fourteenth 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.
After leaving Sylva-Webster, Bob founded a band design and consulting firm, United Music Enterprises which to creates 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. The “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band has grown from less than ninety members to its current membership of over three hundred.
Bob’s professional service includes serving as chairman of the Western North Carolina Bandmasters, serving as secretary of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association, as well as his service to Bands of America as both a Board of Advisors and Adjudication Committee member.