Robert W. Smith

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Robert W. Smith

Biography

Robert W. Smith (24 October 1958, Daleville, Ala. - 21 September 2023, Montgomery, Ala.) was an American composer, conductor, arranger and educator.

He attended high school in Daleville, after which he left for Troy State University, where he played lead trumpet in the Sound of the South Marching Band. While at Troy, he studied composition with Dr. Paul Yoder. Upon his graduation from Troy State with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, Smith pursued his musical career in South Florida, where he earned the master's degree in media writing and production from the University of Miami, while studying with Dr. Alfred Reed.

Mr. Smith has over 600 publications in print, with the majority composed and arranged through his long association with Warner Bros. Publications and the Belwin catalog. He serves as the Director of Product Development for C. L. Barnhouse and Walking Frog Records.

Mr. Smith's credits include many compositions and productions in all areas of the music field. His original works for winds and percussion have been programmed by countless military, university, high school, and middle school bands throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. His Symphony No. 1, "The Divine Comedy", Symphony No. 2, "The Odyssey" and Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual have received worldwide critical acclaim. His educational compositions such as The Tempest, Encanto, and The Great Locomotive Chase have become standards for developing bands throughout the world. His numerous works for orchestras of all levels are currently some of the most popular repertoire available today. His music has received extensive airplay on major network television as well as inclusion in multiple motion pictures. From professional ensembles such as the United States Navy Band and the Atlanta Symphony to school bands and orchestras throughout the world, his music speaks to audiences in any concert setting.

As a conductor and clinician, Mr. Smith performed throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe and Australia. He was the principal conductor of the American Symphonic Winds and the American Festival Philharmonic Orchestra, professional recording ensembles based in Washington D.C. He also worked on the production of Symphony No. 3, "Don Quixote", the fourth in a series of compact disc recordings of his best-known works for concert band. In addition, he was co-creator of the Expressions Music Curriculum. This comprehensive Pre-K through 12 music program includes Band Expressions, an innovative new approach to teaching music through the band.

Mr. Smith taught in the Music Industry program at Troy University in Troy, Ala. His teaching responsibilities were focused in music composition, production, publishing and business. In addition, he was a managing partner and conductor/producer for American Audio Unlimited, an audio production company specializing in recordings for concert band and orchestra.


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