David Smith, Director
A native of Texas, David Smith holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and has done extended post-graduate work at the University of Houston. After two years of study at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville) he matriculated to UT-Austin and focused his conducting study with the Czech conductor Henry Swoboda.
Upon graduating from UT with a Bachelor of Music degree, spent four years in public school music in the Houston area and began his years long association and mentorship under the baton of A. Clyde Roller, the second of only 4 conductors of the Eastman Wind Ensemble at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, and later resident conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra.
A return to Austin to work toward a Master of Music degree afforded Smith time to study first with Maurice Peress, the premiere first prize winner of the famed Dimitri Mitropoulus International Conducting Competition and assistant conductor to Leonard Bernstein at the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; and later with Lawrence Leighton Smith, also a first prize winner of the Mitropoulus Competition and now Music Director Emeritus of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra.
After receiving the Master of Music degree from UT, Smith returned to Houston and the University of Houston for post graduate work and to continue his study with Clyde Roller. He remained in very close contact with Clyde until his death in 2005.
Maestro Smith has conducted the Texas A&I Band, the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, the University of Houston Symphony Orchestra, and the U of H Concert Band. Always a believer in community music, and that music lasts a lifetime, he has played in many community bands and orchestras across the state.
While teaching adjunct at Angelina College in 2001, Smith sensed the value of reinvigorating and continuing the rich history of community music that had prevailed in Lufkin. With collaboration, advice, and support from the late Dr. Jack Hudgins, founding President of Angelina College, Smith started the Lufkin Community Band and conducted the first concert that same year. While allowing others to guest conduct the LCB in the various concerts of the Band, David Smith remains the Conductor and Music Director.
Upon graduating from UT with a Bachelor of Music degree, spent four years in public school music in the Houston area and began his years long association and mentorship under the baton of A. Clyde Roller, the second of only 4 conductors of the Eastman Wind Ensemble at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, and later resident conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra.
A return to Austin to work toward a Master of Music degree afforded Smith time to study first with Maurice Peress, the premiere first prize winner of the famed Dimitri Mitropoulus International Conducting Competition and assistant conductor to Leonard Bernstein at the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; and later with Lawrence Leighton Smith, also a first prize winner of the Mitropoulus Competition and now Music Director Emeritus of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra.
After receiving the Master of Music degree from UT, Smith returned to Houston and the University of Houston for post graduate work and to continue his study with Clyde Roller. He remained in very close contact with Clyde until his death in 2005.
Maestro Smith has conducted the Texas A&I Band, the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, the University of Houston Symphony Orchestra, and the U of H Concert Band. Always a believer in community music, and that music lasts a lifetime, he has played in many community bands and orchestras across the state.
While teaching adjunct at Angelina College in 2001, Smith sensed the value of reinvigorating and continuing the rich history of community music that had prevailed in Lufkin. With collaboration, advice, and support from the late Dr. Jack Hudgins, founding President of Angelina College, Smith started the Lufkin Community Band and conducted the first concert that same year. While allowing others to guest conduct the LCB in the various concerts of the Band, David Smith remains the Conductor and Music Director.
