Preeminent composer, Robert W. Smith, will guest conduct the Pensacola Civic Band performing his new Symphony No. 3, “Don Quixote” during the Civic Band’s “Our Spanish Heritage” concert on Tuesday, March 17th at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. The concert is held in conjunction with Celebrate Pensacola’s 450th Anniversary celebration of the settlement of Pensacola in 1559.
The 7:30 p.m. concert will also feature an amazing array of Spanish and Spanish flavored music including Tarver’s “El Conquistador March”, Williams Rhoads’, “Three Spanish Ladies”, and selections from “Man of La Mancha” among others.
Robert W. Smith is one of the most popular and prolific composers of concert band and orchestral literature in America today. He has over 600 publications in print with the majority composed and arranged through his long association with Warner Bros. Publications and the Belwin catalog. He is currently published exclusively by the C. L. Barnhouse Company and serves as the Director of Product Development for C. L. Barnhouse and Walking Frog Records.
Mr. Smith’s credits include many compositions and productions in all areas of the music field. His original works for winds and percussion have been programmed by countless military, university, high school, and middle school bands throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. His Symphony #1 (The Divine Comedy), Symphony #2 (The Odyssey) and Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual have received worldwide critical acclaim. His educational compositions such as The Tempest, Encanto, and The Great Locomotive Chase have become standards for developing bands throughout the world. His numerous works for orchestras of all levels are currently some of the most popular repertoire available today. His music has received extensive airplay on major network television as well as inclusion in multiple motion pictures. From professional ensembles such as the United States Navy Band and the Atlanta Symphony to school bands and orchestras throughout the world, his music speaks to audiences in any concert setting.
As a conductor and clinician, Mr. Smith has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe and Australia. He is the principal conductor of the American Symphonic Winds and the American Festival Philharmonic Orchestra, professional recording ensembles based in Washington D.C. He is currently working on the production of Symphony No. 3 (Don Quixote), the fourth in a series of compact disc recordings of his best-known works for concert band. In addition, he is co-creator of the Expressions Music Curriculum. This comprehensive Pre-K through 12 music program includes Band Expressions, an innovative new approach to teaching music through the band.
Mr. Smith is currently teaching in the Music Industry program at Troy University in Troy, AL. His teaching responsibilities are focused in music composition, production, publishing and business. In addition, he is a managing partner and conductor/producer for American Audio Unlimited, an audio production company specializing in recordings for concert band and orchestra.
Tickets for the concert are $5 and are available at the PJC Lyceum Ticket Office or at the door on the evening of the concert at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, 6205 North W Street, Pensacola, FL.