Hot Springs Concert Band Board of Directors
CLAUDE SMITH | President
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. |