Principal Conductor of the Hot Springs Concert Band
Jim Lloyd
Jim Lloyd retired in 2023 after serving as Instructor of Instrumental Music Education and Director of Athletic Bands at Ouachita Baptist University. Prior to his appointment at OBU, he was Director of Bands at Arkadelphia High School for 17 years. He also served as Director of Bands at Marion High School in Marion, Arkansas, and Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Mr. Lloyd’s bands have had consistent success, including three State Marching Championships at Arkadelphia. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from Ouachita Baptist University, and his Master of Music Education from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He studied conducting with Craig Hamilton and Harvey Benstein. He has been a member of the American School Band Directors Association, Phi Beta Mu, National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and a board member for the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association. He has been a clinician and adjudicator in Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, and New Mexico. Jim and his wife Roya moved to Hot Springs in 2023 and joined the Hot Springs Concert Band in January 2024. Roya plays in the clarinet section. They have two grown children. David, 25, has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Commercial Music from Belmont and is a professional musician in Nashville, TN. Colleen, 23, recently graduated with a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Arkansas. |
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. |
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.