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Contact:
Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu
Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)
| TSU
Director of Bands to take position with Warner Bros |
| Robert
W. Smith, Director of Bands at Troy State University, will leave
his position Sept. 1 to become a consulting editor with Warner
Bros. Publishing, one of the largest music publishers in the
world. Smith, a TSU alumnus who succeeded the legendary Dr. John M. Long as Director of Bands, will serve as a consulting editor for educational product development for Warner Bros. He has more than 350 publications, with the majority composed and arranged through his long-term association with Warner Bros. "It was difficult to make the decision to leave Troy State University," Smith said. "I learned a great deal from Dr. Long as a student and I was honored to follow him as director. I will miss working with the students and the outstanding music faculty TSU has assembled." Smith said he would not have left TSU for another academic post, but the position at Warner Bros. is the "opportunity of a lifetime." Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy State University, said Smith has been a valuable member of the music faculty. The Chancellor added that a search to fill the Director of Bands position will begin immediately. "Robert Smith has been a tremendous asset to his alma mater," Dr. Hawkins said. "Naturally, we wanted Robert to stay at TSU, but it’s gratifying to know that this university has produced one of the most outstanding composers in the world. This opportunity is a credit to Robert’s incredible talent and to Troy State University." Dr. Hawkins added that TSU is "exploring ways to continue a professional relationship" with Smith, perhaps as a visiting professor or part-time artist-in-residence. In addition to his administrative duties, Smith serves as conductor of the TSU Symphony Band and the TSU Chamber Winds and as director of the nationally renowned "Sound of the South" Marching Band. Warner Bros. Publications recently released under its CPP Media Records label The Divine Comedy: The Symphonic Music of Robert W. Smith. "The Inferno" and "The Ascension" from that symphony have received worldwide critical acclaim. His original works for winds and percussion have been performed by countless military, university, high school and middle school bands throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. His compositions and arrangements have been used in a variety of situations, such as NBC’s coverage of the Presidential Inauguration, Walt Disney's "American Teacher's Awards," welcoming ceremonies in Japan honoring then-President Ronald Reagan, Opening Day at Dodger Stadium, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Olympic Games and television shows in the United States and Europe. Smith and his wife, Susan, have two daughters, Madison and Savannah. |