Dr. John T. West
Director of Bands

John West serves as the Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina--a position he has held since 1985. His bands have performed at State and Regional gatherings of the Music Educators National Conference and have premiered works by composers Frank Ticheli, Edward Gregson, Paul Basler and others. In addition to his conducting duties with the Wind Ensemble, Dr. West is also instructor of saxophone and has taught courses in conducting, theory, and music education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. West serves frequently as a guest conductor and clinician in the Southeast and was the conductor of the Smoky Mountain Brass Band from 1992-96. He is an active performer on the saxophone in the Western North Carolina region and regularly performs with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Flat Rock Playhouse, and in numerous recital and commercial engagements.

His undergraduate degree is from the University of South Florida and his graduate degrees are from the Florida State University where he studied under Dr. James Croft. He worked as a high school band director in the public schools of Brevard County, Florida where his concert and jazz bands earned wide acclaim for excellence in performance. His professional affiliations include membership in MENC, CBDNA, NBA, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Bob Buckner
Director of Athletic Bands

The band is directed by Mr. Bob Buckner, a 1967 graduate of WCU. He was Director of Bands at Sylva-Webster High School in Sylva, North Carolina from 1966-1979. Highlights of his career there include the Golden Eagle Band's championships at the Festival of States in St. Petersburg , FL in 1972 and the 1979 Bands of America Championships. Mr. Buckner founded United Music Enterprises, a band consulting firm in 1979 and continues to provide championship shows for bands throughout the United States and Europe . He has served on the staff of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, and was drill designer for Carolina Crown during their Division II Championship season in 1993. In addition, Mr. Buckner wrote for the United States Drum and Bugle Corps in Washington , D.C. for more than 20 years. In 1988 Mr. Buckner became Director of Bands at East Tennessee State University and remained there until coming to Western Carolina University in 1991. He has served on the Board of Advisors for Bands of America and has served as chairman of the North Carolina Bandmaster's Marching Band Committee. Mr. Buckner was selected for the "Paul A. Reid" Distinguished Service Award for Faculty in 2003. In March of 2005 he was recognized for his contributions to music education by being presented the "Lowell Mason Award" by the Music Educators National Conference. Later the same week he was inducted into the Bands of America Hall of Fame.

Matt Henley
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
and Percussion Instructor

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, 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, Remo, and Yamaha.  He resides with his wife Angie and son Landon in Clyde, NC.

Jon Henson
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Email: jhenson@email.wcu.edu

Jon Henson is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. Some of his primary duties are to instructor 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 70's 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 an Innovative Percussion endorsed artist.