Eddie Smith

Professor Eddie R. Smith is currently in his 21st year at the University of Redlands serving as Director of Bands, Professor of Saxophone, Music Education and Conducting. He also served as Conductor of the University of Redlands Symphony Orchestra from 1994-2004.

Dr. Smith received the Master of Arts degree from the University of South Florida, and the Bachelor of Music Education and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from The Florida State University. Dr. Smith taught in the public and parochial school systems of Florida where he was named “Jazz Educator of the Year” by the Florida Division of the National Association of Jazz Educators. Prior to his appointment to the University of Redlands, Dr. Smith served as Director of Bands at the University of Wyoming where he conducted the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Chamber Winds Ensemble, Jazz Band, and taught conducting, music education and saxophone. Smith also served as State Chair for the College Band Directors National Association and the National Band Association as well as Research Chair for the Wyoming Music Educators Association. He was also recognized as Mortar Board’s “Top Professor”.

Dr. Smith is in high demand as a conductor, clinician, lecturer and adjudicator throughout the United States. A champion for new wind and orchestral literature, Dr. Smith has been a member of numerous national commissioning projects, and has conducted the University of Redlands Wind Ensemble and Orchestra in over 35 premier performances. He continually receives praise for his subtlety of gesture, sensitivity of phrasing, clarity of interpretation and his ability to bring precision and excitement into his performances. His ensembles have performed at various Music Educators National Association and College Band Directors National Association conferences. The University of Redlands Wind Ensemble’s most recent performance at the Western/Northwestern Regional C.B.D.N.A. Conference in Reno, NV, was wonderfully received and the excitement generated by that performance produced the single statement which Dr. Smith holds to be the most gracious one could ever expect to receive. The statement from University of Nevada-RENO’s Director of Bands and Conference Host, Mack McGrannahan, that this performance of Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in Bb was the” best live performance he had ever heard”. 

Dr. Smith is an active member of the College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference, California Music Educators Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, California Band Directors Association and the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association. Smith has served SCSBOA since 1991 as an adjudicator, clinician and host of 8 Regional Festivals. He has also been honored with membership in Pi Kappa Lambda (Sigma Chapter President since 1993) Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha iota, and Tau Beta Sigma.

• B.M. Chapman University

• M.M. Cal State University Long Beach

• D.M.A. University of Southern California

• Wind and Band Conducting