Smith, Claude T., 1932-1987

Claude Thomas Smith, a prominent American educator, conductor, and composer, was born in Monroe City, Missouri on March 14, 1932 to Claude Melvin and Harriet Thomas Smith. The family moved twice in Smith's early years: to Kansas City shortly after his birth and to Carrollton, Missouri around the time that he entered school. Smith took dancing lessons in both locations, and began piano lessons and participated in school music and theater productions while living in Carrollton. During this time, his grandmother, a piano teacher and organist, indirectly influenced him through informal musical contact. Smith first participated in band in the eighth grade after receiving a cornet for Christmas. Harold Arehart assumed the band directorship at the Carrollton Schools in 1947, and had a significant influence on Smith who studied cornet with him and served as his assistant. Smith's conducting can be traced to this time, both at high school and with a local Boy Scout band.

In 1950, Smith entered the Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri where he played under band director K.K. Anderson and switched his primary instrument from cornet to horn. He left that institution in 1952 to join the 371st US Army Band during the Korean War. Stationed in Leavenworth, Kansas, Smith served as both hornist and librarian for the band, the latter of which prompted him to begin arranging and composing. Later that year, on October 5, 1952, he married Maureen Morrison. Smith returned to higher education in 1955 when entered the University of Kansas. There, he played horn in several ensembles, most notably in the band led by Russell Wiley who encouraged Smith's interest in composition and arranging. Representative pieces from this period include Prelude and Allegro for brass choir and The World Freedom March for band. Smith graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.

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