Last Updated on September 22, 2023, 9:18 am
American famous music composer Robert W. Smith died of cardiac arrest.
Robert W. Smith, a famous American music composer, conductor, arranger and educator, passed away at 64 on Thursday, September 21, 2023, of cardiac arrest in Montgomery, Alabama.
What happened to Robert W. Smith?
He passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2023, due to complications following cardiac surgery.
Who was Robert W. Smith?
Robert W. Smith was a famous music composer, conductor, arranger and teacher. He was born on October 24, 1958 in Daleville, Alabama.
Education
He graduated high school in Daleville, went to Troy State University, and played lead trumpet in the Sound of the South Marching Band. He studied composition with Dr. Paul Yonder at Troy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree at Troy. He earned his master’s degree in media writing and production from the University of Miami, Florida and studied with Dr. Alfred Reed.
Career
In 1997, Smith returned to Troy, Alabama and became Director of Bands at Troy State University after his former band director, Dr. Long, had retired. He remained in the position for four years and directed the Sound of the South and the Symphony band. He was the Music Industry program coordinator at Troy University and Vice President of Product Development of C. L. Barnhouse Company and Walking Frog Records.
He left Troy and worked in a full-time position with Warner Brothers Publications. During his association with Warner Bros, he played in several bands, including the New Mexico All-State Small band worldwide, acting as a guest conductor and clinician.
Smith has over 600 publications in print. He composed and arranged most of his work in his extensive association with Warner Bros.
Many of his compositions were celebrated throughout his career. His critically acclaimed compositions include Symphony No.1, ‘The Devine Comedy’, which was inspired by Dante’s Epic; Symphony No. 2, ‘The Odyssey’, was inspired by the Greek Epic of the same name; and Symphony No. 3, ‘Don Quixote’, was inspired by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s epic of the same name. ‘Don Quixote’ was nominated for the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards for Contemporary Classical Album.
His other well-received works include educational compositions ‘The Tempest’, ‘Encanto’, and ‘The Great Locomotive Chase’. His compositions graced significant television shows and several motion pictures.
Tributes
Cherie Walker Meadows wrote on social,
“There aren’t words to express the loss the family and friends of Robert W. Smith are feeling tonight. The world of music is grieving. Thank you for pouring so much into your students, especially mine.”
Calvin Kirby Scotts wrote,
“I don’t even know where to begin. But I can say this: I am Calvin Kirby Scott because of the influence Robert W. Smith has had on my life. As a freshman at Troy State, he saw the gift of music and singing and d literally pulled it out of me! He put me on stage in front of thousands to use the gift of singing.” He continued, “Thank God for the many memories and music he’s written that will cause his memory and legacy to live on! Troy U will never be the same.
Rest Well, My Dear Friend, Robert! We will keep striving for the highest!”
Source: uptospeedjournalism.com
Copyright 2023 Uptospeed Journalism. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
