Claude T. Smith

Photo of Claude T. Smith

Claude T. Smith was born in Monroe City, Missouri on March 14, 1932. He began his undergraduate degree at Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri, eventually enlisting in 1952 and serving in the 371st U.S. Army Band during the Korean War. After his service, he completed his Bachelor of Music Education degree at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

Smith composed over 180 works for band, orchestra, choir, solos, small ensembles as well as three method books for band and orchestra. His compositions have been commissioned and performed by leading musical organizations throughout the world including the U.S. Air Force Band, the “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, the U.S. Navy Band, and the U.S. Army Field Band. His solos were written for noted artists such as “Doc” Severinsen, Dale Underwood, Brian Bowman, Warren Covington, Gary Foster, Rich Matteson, and Steve Seward.

Smith was first published in 1964 with his work for band Emperata Overture. This led to many other works being published by Jenson Publications, Inc. (now Hal Leonard) and Wingert-Jones Music, Inc. where he was also an educational consultant. His composition Flight was adopted in 1984 as the “Official March” of the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institute. His orchestral works were written for many ensembles, including the Kansas City (MO) Youth Symphony, South Bend (IN) Youth Symphony, Springfield (MO) Symphony Orchestra, and the 1981 Missouri All-State String Orchestra.

Smith taught instrumental music in the public schools of Nebraska and Missouri. He also served as a member of the faculty of Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield where he taught composition and theory, and conducted the University Symphony Orchestra. Sacred music was also a deep passion of Smith as he directed church choirs for five years in Cozad (NE), 10 years in Chillicothe (MO), and 10 years in Kansas City (MO).

Smith was active as a clinician and guest conductor throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, and Europe. He received many awards for his contributions to music education and for his work in composition including numerous ASCAP Composers Award. Following his death, he was awarded the National Band Association Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts (AWAPA) Award (1987), honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Central Methodist College (1988), Missouri Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame (1988), Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal (1988), Missouri Music Educators Association Hall of Fame (1992), and named School Director of the Year from the Christian Instrumental Directors Association (1994).

Smith was a member of the Music Educators National Conference (now NAfME), Missouri Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, American Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and served as past president of the Missouri Music Educators Association.

Claude T. Smith passed away on December 13, 1987 in Kansas City, Missouri having completed a Christmas Concert at church. His wife, Maureen Faye Smith and his daughter, Pam Smith Kelly, along with Pam’s husband, Jim, founded Claude T. Smith Publications, Inc. in 1993, and C.L. Barnhouse Co. became the exclusive distributor for his instrumental works in 2016 with the mission of keeping the music of Claude T. Smith alive and in the hearts of musicians worldwide.

Publications by Claude T. Smith

  • American Folk Song Trilogy

    American Folk Song Trilogy

    for Flexible Ensemble

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Full set - ePrint | Extra full score | Extra full score - ePrint | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 3

    CTS-8088-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8088-00
  • Chorale Prelude: All Things Bright And Beautiful

    Chorale Prelude: All Things Bright And Beautiful

    (An Old English Melody)

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Full set - ePrint | Extra full score | Extra full score - ePrint | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 2

    CTS-8064-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8064-00
  • Emperata Overture

    Emperata Overture

    for Orchestra

    C. T. Smith/arr. Petters & Vives

    Full set | Full set - ePrint | Extra full score | Extra full score - ePrint | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 4

    CTS-8104-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8104-00
  • Eternal Father

    Eternal Father

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Full set - ePrint | Extra full score | Extra full score - ePrint | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 3.5

    CTS-8055-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8055-00
  • Symphonic Rhythms & Scales For Band & Orchestra

    Symphonic Rhythms & Scales For Band & Orchestra

    C. T. Smith

    Conductor book | Flute in C book | Bb Clarinet/Bb Bass Clarinet book | Eb Alto Clarinet book | Oboe book | Bassoon book | Eb Alto Saxophone book | Bb Tenor Saxophone book | Bb Trumpet/Baritone T.C. book | F Horn book | Trombone/Baritone B.C. book | Tuba book | Percussion book | Mallets book | Timpani book | Violin book | Viola book | Cello book

    CTS-7998-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-7998-00
  • Symphonic Techniques For Band & Orchestra

    Symphonic Techniques For Band & Orchestra

    C. T. Smith

    Conductor book | Flute in C book | Bb Clarinet book | Bb Bass Clarinet book | Oboe book | Eb Alto Saxophone book | Bb Tenor Saxophone book | Eb Baritone Saxophone book | Bb Trumpet book | F Horn book | Trombone book | Baritone B.C. book | Tuba book | Percussion book | Mallets book | Timpani book | Violin book | Viola book | Cello book

    CTS-7999-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-7999-00
  • Symphonic Warm-Ups For Band

    Symphonic Warm-Ups For Band

    C. T. Smith

    Conductor book | Flute in C book | 1st Bb Clarinet book | 2nd Bb Clarinet book | 3rd Bb Clarinet book | Eb Alto Clarinet book | Bb Bass Clarinet book | Oboe book | Bassoon book | Eb Alto Saxophone book | Bb Tenor Saxophone book | Eb Baritone Saxophone book | 1st Bb Trumpet book | 2nd Bb Trumpet book | F Horn book | 1st Trombone book | 2nd Trombone book | Baritone T.C. book | Baritone B.C. book | Tuba book | Percussion book | Mallets book | Timpani book

    CTS-7997-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-7997-00
  • Windstar

    Windstar

    (Concert Overture)

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Full set - ePrint | Extra full score | Extra full score - ePrint | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 3

    CTS-8024-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8024-00
  • America The Beautiful

    America The Beautiful

    for Flexible Ensemble

    Ward/arr. C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 2

    CTS-8003-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8003-00
  • Anthem For Winds And Percussion

    Anthem For Winds And Percussion

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 3

    CTS-8059-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8059-00
  • Chorale Prelude: For The Beauty Of The Earth

    Chorale Prelude: For The Beauty Of The Earth

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 2

    CTS-8063-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8063-00
  • Chorale Prelude: Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart

    Chorale Prelude: Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 4

    CTS-8045-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8045-00
  • Finale From A Rhapsody On Christmas Carols

    Finale From A Rhapsody On Christmas Carols

    for Flexible Ensemble

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra full score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 4

    CTS-8056-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8056-00
  • Kings Street March

    Kings Street March

    C. T. Smith/arr. Prescott

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 2.5

    CTS-8049-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8049-00
  • O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

    O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

    (A Christmas Prelude) for Flexible Ensemble

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 3

    CTS-8042-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8042-00
  • Shenandoah: A Sea Fantasy

    Shenandoah: A Sea Fantasy

    for Bassoon Ensemble

    C. T. Smith/Wood

    Full set | Extra score

    Grade: 4

    CTS-8066-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8066-00
  • Smith Conducts Smith: Declaration!

    Smith Conducts Smith: Declaration!

    The Music Of Claude T. Smith, Vol. V

    WFR881More Info
    WFR881
  • Smith Conducts Smith: Inspirations!

    Smith Conducts Smith: Inspirations!

    The Music Of Claude T. Smith, Vol. VI

    WFR882More Info
    WFR882
  • Symphonic Prelude on Adeste Fidelis

    Symphonic Prelude on Adeste Fidelis

    for Flexible Ensemble

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 3

    CTS-8068-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8068-00
  • Symphonic Variations On Amazing Grace

    Symphonic Variations On Amazing Grace

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 3.5

    CTS-8044-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8044-00
  • A Thousand Hills Overture

    A Thousand Hills Overture

    C. T. Smith

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score | MP3 Download

    Grade: 3

    CTS-7742-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-7742-00
  • Trio For Woodwinds

    Trio For Woodwinds

    C. T. Smith

    Full set | Extra score

    Grade: 3

    CTS-8069-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8069-00
  • Zia, Zia!

    Zia, Zia!

    Spanish March

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 2

    CTS-8020-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8020-00
  • Chorale and Allegro

    Chorale and Allegro

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Extra score | Oversized, spiral-bound score

    Grade: 4

    CTS-8022-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8022-00
  • Danza Sonora

    Danza Sonora

    for Flexible Ensemble

    C. T. Smith/arr. Earp

    Full set | Oversized, spiral-bound score | Extra score

    Grade: 3

    CTS-8021-00More Info This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    CTS-8021-00