Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Hot Springs Concert Band
|
Craig V. Hamilton is The Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music, Director of Bands, and Coordinator of Instrumental Studies at Ouachita Baptist University. He earned his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of North Texas, Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance at Arkansas State University and Bachelor of Music Education Degree from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Under Dr. Hamilton's leadership, the Ouachita Bands have toured throughout the United States and Europe; recorded six CDs with the Mark recording label and performed at State, Regional and National conferences and meetings. Dr. Hamilton is also the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the award winning Hot Springs Concert Band, a position he has held since 1999. Dr. Hamilton is a contributing author for the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series, GIA Publishers and is the editor for the "Conductor's Corner" of the ACB Journal. His professional affiliations and awards include Phi Beta Mu, Pi Kappa Lambda, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, College Music Society, National Band Association (NBA), Association of Concert Bands (ACB), and College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA). Dr. Hamilton has served as the Arkansas State Chair for CBDNA and NBA and was elected to the ACB Board of Directors in 2012. In 2014, Dr. Hamilton was chosen as a VIP by the Conn-Selmer Corporation. To learn more about Dr. Hamilton visit featured members of the band page. |
Associate Conductors of the Hot Springs Concert Band
|
William Crook
William "Bill" Crook studied music at Ouachita Baptist University and holds a B.A. in music. In addition to being one of the associate conductors of the Hot Springs Concert Band, Bill is the section leader of the trumpet section of the Hot Springs Concert Band and also performs locally with various music ensembles. William also serves as conductor of the New Horizons Band of Hot Springs. Bill is owner and proprietor of Crooks Music Service, a music store located in Hot Springs on Central Avenue. |
|
Hal Thompson
After a 32-year career in public school education, the first 16 as a high school band director and then a principal, Hal retired to Hot Springs Village. While serving as a band director, his organizations were consistently rated as outstanding in various state and regional competitions. He has studied conducting with Fredrick Fennell and Arnold Gabriel, both highly respected members of the national band community. While living in the Chicago area, Hal was able to perform professionally in a variety of musical venues; most notably Musical Theater, both as a conductor and a performer. His most recent, and 60th production Chicago, was completed with the Pocket Theater in Hot Springs. Since moving to Arkansas, he has been recruited to play with many musical groups in the state as well as several national touring companies. Serving as an associate conductor for the Hot Springs Concert Band continues to be one of his greatest pleasures. |
Claude Smith
Claude Smith is relatively new to the Hot Springs Concert Band and its Board of Directors, but he is certainly not new to music or bands. His education and experience make that more than obvious! Claude graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Arkansas Polytechnic College. In 1985 he graduated with a Masters Degree in Music Education Degree from Arkansas Tech University and in 1993 he received his Arkansas Secondary Principal's Certification from the University of Central Arkansas. Claude served as Junior High Band Director and High School Band Director at Search from 1976 to 2004 and from 2004 until his retirement in 2017 he was the Assistant Principal of Searcy Junior High School and the Principal of Searcy High School. Claude is a member of the Phi Beta Mu National Band Fraternity and member Emeritus of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators. He has served as past president of the Arkansas Bandmasters Association and past president of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association. Claude has been the recipient of several prestigious honors: 2003 Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year, 2009 Principal of the Year – Arkansas Scholastic Press Association, and he has served as Band Clinician/Adjudicator in Tennessee, South Carolina, and all nine band regions of Arkansas. Along with serving on the board of directors and playing French horn in the Hot Springs Concert Band, Claude also serves as one of the associate conductors. As you can see, Claude brings a wealth of credentials, talent and experience to the Hot Springs Concert Band and Board of Directors, and we are very fortunate and pleased that he shares it with us.
Claude Smith is relatively new to the Hot Springs Concert Band and its Board of Directors, but he is certainly not new to music or bands. His education and experience make that more than obvious! Claude graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Arkansas Polytechnic College. In 1985 he graduated with a Masters Degree in Music Education Degree from Arkansas Tech University and in 1993 he received his Arkansas Secondary Principal's Certification from the University of Central Arkansas. Claude served as Junior High Band Director and High School Band Director at Search from 1976 to 2004 and from 2004 until his retirement in 2017 he was the Assistant Principal of Searcy Junior High School and the Principal of Searcy High School. Claude is a member of the Phi Beta Mu National Band Fraternity and member Emeritus of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators. He has served as past president of the Arkansas Bandmasters Association and past president of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association. Claude has been the recipient of several prestigious honors: 2003 Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year, 2009 Principal of the Year – Arkansas Scholastic Press Association, and he has served as Band Clinician/Adjudicator in Tennessee, South Carolina, and all nine band regions of Arkansas. Along with serving on the board of directors and playing French horn in the Hot Springs Concert Band, Claude also serves as one of the associate conductors. As you can see, Claude brings a wealth of credentials, talent and experience to the Hot Springs Concert Band and Board of Directors, and we are very fortunate and pleased that he shares it with us.