The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps is excited to welcome world-renowned composer, drum corps arranger, and DCI Hall of Famer Robert W. Smith to the 2015 Bushwackers Design Team as Brass Arranger and Music Designer.
Robert is currently the Brass Arranger for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps from Casper, WY. He recently served as Brass Arranger for the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps from Madison, WI.
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.
In the drum corps activity, he is currently the composer/arranger for the Troopers and the Bushwackers, two of Drum Corps most honored and successful performing ensembles. In addition, he has served as composer/arranger for Suncoast Sound, Magic of Orlando, Spirit of Atlanta, Cadets of Bergen County, Madison Scouts, Glassmen, Empire Statesmen and Velvet Knights among others.
Smith was with Suncoast Sound from the corps’ earliest days and through his arranging and brass instruction, rapidly brought the corps into the DCI World Championship Finals in 1983. In 1984, his show based on the 1960s and the Vietnam War prominently featured some original compositions. But it was his 1985 “Florida Suite” that was the first to exclusively feature new works of music specifically composed for a drum corps. Robert was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 2010.
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 multiple motion pictures including the 2011 hit “Tower Heist.” His “Into The Storm” was featured on the CBS 2009 Emmy Awards telecast as the HBO production of the same name received multiple Emmy awards. His “Yellapalooza” was recently featured by the Tony Award winning musical theater production BLAST! during their 2011-12 USA and Asian tour. 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, South America and Australia. 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. See more about Robert on his webpage www.robertwsmith.com