Michael Smith

Biography

Education: D.M.A., Trombone Performance and Literature, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; M.M.E., McNeese State University; B.M., Trombone Performance, Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. Michael Smith is currently Associate Professor of Low Brass at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he teaches low brass, low brass methods, coaches small brass ensembles, and conducts the Luther College Brass Choir and Trombone Choir. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, a Master of Music Education from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and a doctorate in Trombone Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Prior to his appointment at Luther College, Dr. Smith taught at Millikin University, Knox College, and at the University of Illinois as the head teaching assistant in the trombone studio from 1996-1999. He has also taught at the Luther College Summer Dorian Camps and the Illinois Summer Youth Music Trombone Camps at the University of Illinois. He has been a guest clinician, soloist, and conductor at the 2003 Georgia Honors Low Brass Choir at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga., the 2002 Illinois Honors Trombone Choir in Chicago, the 2001 Illinois Honors Trombone Choir held at the University of Illinois, the 2000 Illinois Junior Trombone Symposium in Chicago, and was the co-founder and conductor of the University of Illinois High School Laboratory Trombone Choir. His awards from the University of Illinois include the Robert Gray Trombone Award, the Albert A. Harding Award, and the Mark H. Hindsley Award. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Alpha Chi, and Phi Kappa Phi.

Dr. Smith was principal trombonist with the University of Illinois Wind Symphony under the baton of James F. Keene. As a member of the Illinois Wind Symphony, Dr. Smith went on tour to Great Britain and was also a soloist with the ensemble. He was also a soloist and made two U. S. tours with the University of Illinois Trombone Choir. He has performed with the Longview Symphony Orchestra (TX), Rapides Symphony Orchestra (LA), Lake Charles Symphony (LA), Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia da Camera (IL), Decatur Symphony (IL), Danville Symphony (IL), Champaign-Urbana Symphony (IL), the Rochester Symphony Orchestra (MN), Dorian Opera Theatre Orchestra (IA), the Dubuque Symphony (IA), Cedar Falls-Waterloo Symphony (IA), and the Cedar Rapids Symphony (IA).  He is currently the bass trombonist with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra (MN), a position he has held since 2007.  His teachers include J. Mark Thompson, William Rose, Nathaniel Brickens, and Elliot Chasanov.