Claude Thomas Smith (Monroe City, Missouri, March 14, 1932 - Raytown, Missouri, December 13, 1987) was an American composer, music educator, conductor and cornettist.
LifecycleClaude T. Smith's grandmother was a piano teacher and organist and influenced her grandchildren's interests. This way he came into contact with music early in the day. From the conductor of his school harmony orchestra Harold Arehart he received intensive lessons on the grain. Later he became assistant of the conductor in the concert orchestra. In addition, he was also conductor of a Boy-Scout Band.
Smith studied at Central Methodist College Fayette (Missouri) where he studied under K.K. Anderson played at the College Harmony Orchestra and switched from Cornet to Horn. After college time, he married Maureen Morrison. During the Korean War he was a musician in the 371th Army Band. From 1955 he studied at the University of Kansas in Lawrence (Kansas). There he played in various ensembles, including in the harmonics orchestra, led by Russell Wiley. Wiley discovered Smith's talent for composing and arranging. First works of this time are the Prelude and Allegro, for the brass ensemble and The World Freedom March, for concert orchestra. In 1958, Smith obtained his Bachelor of Music.
After his education, until 1976 he was instrumental in instrumental music at schools in the states of Nebraska and Missouri. From 1958 to 1963 he was also a music teacher and conductor of a harmonious orchestra in Cozad, Nebraska, and also conducted a church choir there. During this period, the works were honored Guard and Citation, both for concert orchestra. From 1963 to 1966 he was a music teacher at the Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri. During this time he composed the Emperata Overture, performed in 1964 during the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and has since become one of the most played works of him. In 1966, Smith left Kansas City to Chillicothe, Missouri, where he stayed for 10 years. There he was conductor of a church choir and lecturer of music theory and composition at the High School. During this period, composing was too short, but Eternal Father Strong to Save, for concert orchestra, came about.
In 1976, he exchanged as a lecturer for composition, music theory and horn at the Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield (Missouri). He also conducted the university symphony orchestra. In 1978 he left for Raytown, Missouri and stayed there until his death. During this time he was also conductor of the Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church choir, but especially composer because he composed most of his works during this time.
As a composer he is known for his works for harmonics orchestra. He received a large number of prizes and honors, such as several ASCAP Composer's Awards, the Hall of Fame Award of the Missouri Bandmaster's Association, the National Band Association Award of the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts. Compositions Working for orchestra Working for concert orchestra Working for corn Chamber music Bibliography
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