WELCOME!

 

I am Paul Buyer, Professor of Music and Director of Percussion at Clemson University. I am a writer, speaker, musician, and author of six books including Working Toward Excellence (1e and 2e), World Music, Drumline Gold, Marching Bands and Drumlines, and co-author of The Art of Vibraphone Playing. My mission is to help others grow and improve through leadership, excellence, and culture.

I hope you find the content here valuable, useful, and inspiring!

 

Working Toward Excellence
2nd edition

Available 9.23.25!

“This book gives you all the tools you need to pursue excellence and makes you eager to use them.”

– Julie Fournier, author, speaker, and founder of Ball is Psych

“Working Toward Excellence provides the framework to achieve at the highest levels.”

– Graham Neff, Athletic Director, Clemson University

“Dr. Buyer has an uncanny way of drawing things out of me that I thought were way beyond my capabilities.”

– Robert Eggleton, Vice President of Goldsmith and Eggleton Inc., retired

More Info + Purchase

 

World Music

“I clearly do not have words to express my absolute amazement with World Music: Diversity in Styles, Instruments, and Culture. I spent many hours reading every chapter and watching/listening to the video/audio links and repeatedly said, out loud to myself, “Wow!” His concept for organizing the book and chapters is beyond impressive. He must have spent hours and hours researching and studying materials, and then to present them in such a clear and engaging manner, I find truly remarkable. Paul Buyer is an amazing author and he should be very proud.”

– Gary Cook, Professor Emeritus of Music, University of Arizona; Adjunct Instructor, University of Nevada-Las Vegas; Author of Teaching Percussion

More Info + Purchase

 

World Music

“I clearly do not have words to express my absolute amazement with World Music: Diversity in Styles, Instruments, and Culture. I spent many hours reading every chapter and watching/listening to the video/audio links and repeatedly said, out loud to myself, “Wow!” His concept for organizing the book and chapters is beyond impressive. He must have spent hours and hours researching and studying materials, and then to present them in such a clear and engaging manner, I find truly remarkable. Paul Buyer is an amazing author and he should be very proud.”

– Gary Cook, Professor Emeritus of Music, University of Arizona; Adjunct Instructor, University of Nevada-Las Vegas; Author of Teaching Percussion

DRUMLINE GOLD

 

“Paul Buyer has provided a resource that is informative, educational, beautifully written, and significant to everyone who teaches a marching percussion ensemble. It is a must-read for students and members of any drumline and provides insight into how these leading educators think and what they expect.”

Dennis DeLucia
DCI, WGI, and PAS Hall of Fame

More Info + Purchase

DRUMLINE GOLD

 

“Paul Buyer has provided a resource that is informative, educational, beautifully written, and significant to everyone who teaches a marching percussion ensemble. It is a must-read for students and members of any drumline and provides insight into how these leading educators think and what they expect.”

Dennis DeLucia
DCI, WGI, and PAS Hall of Fame

More Info + Purchase

 

The Art of Vibraphone Playing

“An exceptional method book for the student vibraphonist that bridges the gap between existing materials for jazz vibes and classical instruction books for marimba and xylophone.”

Christopher Dean
Posthumous Emeritus Percussion Faculty, University of North Texas

More Info + Purchase

 

The Art of Vibraphone Playing

“An exceptional method book for the student vibraphonist that bridges the gap between existing materials for jazz vibes and classical instruction books for marimba and xylophone.”

Christopher Dean
Posthumous Emeritus Percussion Faculty, University of North Texas

More Info + Purchase

WORKING TOWARD EXCELLENCE 1ST EDITION

“Working Toward Excellence is an exceptional book about what it takes to stand out and achieve uncommon success in your industry. By breaking down values critical to achieving at a high level such as hunger, effort, leadership, time, and others, this book literally shows you how to work toward excellence and achieve it.”

Craig Duswalt
Speaker, author and creator of Rockstar Marketing and Rock Your Life

More Info + Purchase

WORKING TOWARD EXCELLENCE 1ST EDITION

 

“Working Toward Excellence is an exceptional book about what it takes to stand out and achieve uncommon success in your industry. By breaking down values critical to achieving at a high level such as hunger, effort, leadership, time, and others, this book literally shows you how to work toward excellence and achieve it.”

Craig Duswalt
Speaker, author and creator of Rockstar Marketing and Rock Your Life

More Info + Purchase


MARCHING BANDS AND DRUMLINES

“The research and insights in Marching Bands and Drumlines might just be the next great resource for marching music educators.”

James Voss Grumish
Founder, TripletDiddle.com

More Info + Purchase


MARCHING BANDS AND DRUMLINES

“The research and insights in Marching Bands and Drumlines might just be the next great resource for marching music educators.”

James Voss Grumish
Founder, TripletDiddle.com

More Info + Purchase

The 10 Attributes of Quality Rehearsals

by

In the marching percussion activity, the secret to success on the field or in the gym is how you rehearse. To master their craft, excellent drumlines value rehearsals and never take them for granted. They show up every day with the mindset, “it’s an opportunity to improve.” In contrast, low performing drumlines go through the motions and have the mindset, “it’s just rehearsal,” slowly deflating the group’s commitment, productivity, and progress.

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