James P. Smart
2790 Meriwether St.
Missoula, MT 59803
james.smart@umontana.edu
406-214-6704
Professional Experience
Associate Professor of Music, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 2008-present.
Meritorious Faculty Award for outstanding creative activity, teaching, and service, 2015.
Tenure awarded, 2013.
Promoted to Associate Professor of Music, 2012.
Meritorious Faculty Award for outstanding creative activity, teaching, and service, 2011.
Conductor:
Conducting Ped.:
Music Education:
Applied Instructor:
Coordinator/
Recruiter
Committees:
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Chamber Winds
Contemporary Chamber Players
Faculty Chamber Ensembles
Faculty Recital Collaborations
Composer’s Showcase – Joel Puckett and D.J. Sparr
Composer’s Showcase – Samuel Adler
Composer’s Showcase – Martin Bresnick
Graduate Instrumental Conducting
Graduate Instrumental Literature
Advanced Undergraduate Instrumental Conducting
Undergraduate Instrumental Conducting
Undergraduate Instrumental Music Education Methods
Student Teaching Coordinator and Observer (Instrumental)
Instruct all undergraduate and graduate trumpet majors in lessons and
studio class. Academic advisor for trumpets.
Students have gone on to prestigious graduate schools and assumed
quality school teaching positions.
School of Music Fusion Concert
Director, UM Summer Music Camp
Director, UM Concert Band Festival
Director and Conductor, UM All-Star High School Ensembles
Recruiting Coordinator - Instrumental Division
Faculty Search Committees – Six since 2008
Faculty Executive Committee, 2008-2009, 2012-2013
Music Education Committee, 2009-present
Faculty Evaluation Committee, 2009-2010, 2012-2013
School of Music Web Design Committee, 2009-2010
Graduate Committee, 2008-2009
Conducting Fellow, International Ensemble Modern Academy
Schwaz/Innsbruck, Austria, 2007
One of two conductors chosen to lead rehearsals and two performances with the IEMA
for the Klangspuren Contemporary Music Festival. Participating musicians were
selected from top conservatories and universities and represented 31 countries. Studied
conducting with Franck Ollu and Michael Gielen. Conducted works by Gielen, Rihm,
and Xenakis. Collaborated with composer, Wolfgang Rihm. Coached by members of
Ensemble Modern.
Acting Associate Director of Bands (Sabbatical fill in), Arizona State University
Herberger College of the Arts, School of Music, Tempe, AZ, Fall 2007
Principal Conductor: ASU Wind Ensemble
Instructor:
Undergraduate Instrumental Conducting (2 sections)
Residency Coordinator: Hosted Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Michael Colgrass
Doctoral Teaching & Research Fellow, Arizona State University
Herberger College of the Arts, School of Music, Tempe, AZ, 2006-2008
Co-Music Director:
Co-Director:
Conductor:
Associate Conductor:
Lyric Opera Theater - Scarecrow, Joseph Turrin (Western US premier)
Arizona Contemporary Music Ensemble (Spring 2008)
Student Recital Opera - L’enfant prodigue, Claude Debussy
Sinfonietta Orchestra
Chamber Winds
Wind Symphony
Wind Ensemble
Arizona Contemporary Music Ensemble (2007)
Dark Wind, John Luther Adams (composer residency)
Research Fellow:
Digital Conducting Laboratory/Infrared Motion Capture Laboratory
Ensemble Manager: Chamber Winds. Organized community performances at Mayo Clinic
(Scottsdale), Summit School for the Arts (Ahwatukee), and the Bentley
Art Gallery (Phoenix).
Course Assistant:
Undergraduate Conducting
Associate Conductor, Orchestra of Southern Utah, 2004 – 2005.
Conducted performances and rehearsals of works by Barber, Copland, Dukas, Handel,
Mozart, Rossini, and Saint-Saëns.
Asst. Professor of Music, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT 2003-2006. NASM
member institution, ~120 music majors.
Conductor:
Brass Studies:
Music Education:
Music Director:
Committees:
Wind Symphony
Athletic Bands – Football and Basketball
Applied Lessons – Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Brass Ensemble & Tuba Euphonium Ensemble
Brass Area Academic Advisor
Instrumental Music Education Methods
Instrumental Techniques – Brass Methods
Advanced Instrumental Conducting
Student Teaching and Academic Advisor
Oliver!, Department of Theatre, 2005
Fine Arts Recruitment & Retention Committee
Fine Arts Grants Committee
Music Library Committee
Music Development Committee
Clarinet and Percussion Search Committees
Masters Conducting/Teaching Assistant, Arizona State University,
Herberger College of the Arts, School of Music, Tempe, AZ, 2001 – 2003
Associate Conductor: Chamber Winds
Wind Symphony
Sinfonietta Orchestra
Arizona Contemporary Music Society Prize Winner
Conductor:
Concert Band
Student recital ensembles
Course Assistant:
Undergraduate Conducting
Graduate Assistant: Sun Devil Marching Band
Ensemble Manager: University Concert Band
University Wind Symphony
Music Librarian:
Arizona State University Bands
Tour Organizer:
National College Band Directors Assoc. convention, Minneapolis, MN.
Music Educator, Lapeer Community Schools, Lapeer, MI, 1997-2001
Taught beginning band through 8th grade and assisted at the high schools in athletic
bands, chamber music, musical theater, symphonic and concert bands.
Creative Activity (Selected)
College Band Directors National Association Western/Northwestern Conference,
Reno, NV, March 2010. The UM Symphonic Wind Ensemble was selected by a peer
panel as one of the top performing groups in the Western U.S. (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID,
MT, NV, OR, WA, WY) and performed at the biannual conference.
NAfME All-Northwest, 2013. The UM Symphonic Wind Ensemble was selected by a
peer panel to perform for music educators and students at the biannual conference in
Portland, OR.
UM Composer’s Showcase, Missoula, MT, April 2015. Organized a three-day
residency for our composition and instrumental students with composers Joel Puckett
and DJ Sparr. The event culminated in a concert of music by the two guest composers
with two Western US premieres, one featuring guest soloist MSgt. Michael Mergen
(trumpet) of the President’s Own US Marine Band.
Concordia Santa Fe Wind Ensemble, Santa Fe, NM, 2013, 2014. Conducted semiprofessional community wind ensemble that invites outside guest conductors from
across the U.S. In conjunction with the New Mexico Museum of Art presented a
program On the Edge with works by Bernstein, Copland, Ives, Marshall, Montoya,
and Stark in 2013 and States of Being with works by Ives, George, Maslanka,
Copland, Zare, and Pann.
UM Summer Conducting Workshop, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015. Created four-day
workshop on the art of conducting for music educators, graduate students, and
undergraduate students with myself and Scott Teeple (University of Wisconsin
Madison), Gary Hill (Arizona State University), Kevin Sedatole (Michigan State
University), and Steven Davis (UMKC Conservatory).
Fusion Concert, 2010-present. Founder, producer and conductor annual UM School
of Music concert featuring 25+ musical acts, and 300+ musicians from the string,
wind, brass, percussion, voice, jazz, composition, opera, chamber, and contemporary
music areas. Performed for prospective students and the general public.
Conductor Gnarly Buttons: for clarinet and chamber orchestra, April 2012.
Organized and conducted an ensemble of faculty, community professionals and
students.
War: Enduring, Questioning, Escaping, November 2011. Artistic director and
conductor of collaborative visual and sonic event featuring the faculty of the music,
theater & dance, art, and media arts divisions of the College of Visual and Performing
Arts and the Montana Museum of Art and Culture.
United States Air Force Concert Band, October 2011. Guest conductor of Silverado
Overture by Bruce Broughton. Residency organizer.
Winged Messengers, October 2011. Organized cross-disciplinary collaboration with
Dr. Erick Greene - Division of Biological Sciences and Kate Davis – Director of
Raptors of the Rockies in the performance of Montana composer Craig Naylor’s
Chickadee Symphony.
Odyssey of the Stars Gala Concert. March 2011. Featured ensemble in a School of
Music scholarship benefit concert honoring UM graduate and conductor of the United
States Army Field Band, Lt. Colonel Timothy Holtan.
North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Festival. 2011. Featured ensemble.
UM Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Dr. Johann Eriksson performed Mantras for
soprano saxophone and wind ensemble by Narong Prangchaoen.
Scarecrow by Joseph Turrin, December 2006. Co-music director of the regional
premier by the Arizona State University Lyric Opera Theater.
Commission and Residency of Pulitzer Prize Winner Michael Colgrass – 2006
Commissioned Raag Mala by, Michael Colgrass. Coordinated and conducted a
concert of Colgrass’ music featuring a world premier. Organized lecture series
presented by Mr. Colgrass for university faculty, students and community members.
Publications and Presentations (Selected)
Author: In Pursuit of Excellence. Maryland Music Educator. Summer, 2015.
Author: The Quest for Quality Repertoire. Idaho Music Educators Association
Journal, Winter 2015.
Author: Making Festival Preparation Fulfilling, Dynamic and Memorable. Bluegrass
Music News (journal of the Kentucky Music Educators Association), Summer 2014.
Presenter. Montana Music Educator’s Conference, Billings, MT, 2015. “Increasing
Your APP-titude: Using applications in your school music program.”
Author: Searching for Diversity: New Voices for Wind Band Commissions, National
Band Association Journal. Spring, 2013.
Presenter. National Conference of the College Band Director’s National Association.
Seattle, WA, 2011. “Fear No Music: An Examination of Professional Contemporary
Ensemble Literature as a Resource for Future Performance and Commissions.”
Presenter. Washington Music Educators Association Conference, Yakima, WA, 2012.
“Resources for Wind Band Commissions: Promoting Quality, Adventurism, Curiosity
and Freshness in All Ages.
Presenter: Montana Music Educators Association Conference, 2010. Presented two
sessions “Healthy Literature Selections for All Ages”, “Tone and Intonation
Fundamentals and Routines”.
Presenter: Arizona Music Educators Association Convention, Phoenix, AZ, 2003
Communicated the importance of judicious selection of repertoire, thorough score
preparation, and compelling rehearsals in order to provide a comprehensive music
education.
Presenter: A Balanced Diet: Healthy Music Literature Selections for all Ages.
University of Dayton Graduate Music Education Workshop, Dayton, OH, June 2010.
The Programming Practices of Alarm Will Sound, The International
Contemporary Ensemble, and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players from
2004-2009. Dissertation, Arizona State University. December 2009.
Fear No Music: A History of the American Contemporary Music
Ensemble, March 2008. Lecture Rccital, Arizona State University. Music by John
Adams, Sofia Gubaidulina, Jennifer Higdon, and Roshanne Etezady.
Prospectives in Art, “Commissioning New Works”, 2006. Guest speaker for a new
College of Performing and Visual Arts series. Outlined the purpose and process of
commissioning a new work from initial concept to the premier performance.
Educational Outreach & Recruiting (Selected)
Recruiting Coordinator, University of Montana Department of Music, 2010-present.
Organize outreach tours, recruiting publicity, establish contact with school music
directors, and maintain a database of prospective students for the purpose of
recruiting. Develop and manage music camps, festivals, and honor ensembles.
University of Montana High School All-Star Wind Ensembles and Orchestra.
Founder, organizer and conductor, 2013-present. Nominations from 65+ high schools
from ID, MT, OR, WA, WY and Alberta. 150 students selected annually to come to
campus to work with renowned guest artists and composers and perform in a Gala
honor ensemble concert.
University of Montana Band Camp, 2008-present. Organize annual on-campus event
for 120+ high school and middle school musicians from 5 states. Led master class
sessions on trumpet & conducting. Conduct the high school aged Symphonic Band.
University of Montana Concert Band Festival, 2009-present. Organize and perform
for up to twenty-five public school bands from as many as four different states.
Hosted guest clinicians and guest artists Christopher Deane (University of North
Texas) and Deanna Swoboda (Arizona State University), Harry Watters (U.S. Army
Band), Kimberly Cole Luevano (University of North Texas), and Rachel Childers
(Boston Symphony Orchestra).
Montana Bandmasters Association, 2013-present. President. Curate, organize and
host sessions for annual conference. Lead special projects of the organization.
Montana All-State Music Festival Director, October 2010, 2014. Coordinated
selection and placement auditions, music distribution, clinician hiring and travel,
performance logistics.
Montana Conference on Educational Leadership, October 2009. Guest speaker.
Educating the Whole Child Through the Arts: Montana School Music Programs in
Crisis. Invited to speak to superintendents, principals, and state officers on behalf of
the University of Montana to communicate the School of Music’s efforts to aide small
school music/arts programs.
Allen and Laura Vizzutti, guest recital, February 2011. Hosted renowned trumpet
artist, organized master class for the university and community, organized mass
trumpet ensemble for students. Concert benefited UM Scholarship for Music
Education.
Additional Educational Outreach
Honor Ensemble Conductor and Festival Clinician:
Alberta International Band Festival, Calgary, AB, 2015
Alberta Band Association Festival of Bands, Red Deer, AB, 2015
Washington State University Concert Band Festival, 2015
Western Washington University Concert Band Festival, 2015
Lower Columbia River Music Educators Assoc. Band Festival, Vancouver, WA, 2015
Eastshore Band Festival, Bellevue, WA 2014
Spokane Regional Band Festival, Spokane, WA, 2012, 2015
Stillwater Music Festival, Kalispell, MT, 2011-2015
Central Washington University Wind Ensemble Festival, Ellensburg, WA, 2013
Western Montana Class AA Band Festival, Great Falls, MT, 2013.
Northwest Montana Class A Honor Band, Libby, MT, 2013
Montana State Music Festival, Missoula, MT, 2009, 2011, 2013
MTNA Solo Competition, Northwest Division Brass Division Adjudicator, 2012.
District VI Honor Band, Salmon, ID, 2012
Eastern Montana Class A Honor Band, Sidney, MT, 2012
Montana State Music Festival, Missoula, MT, 2011
District III Concert Band Festival, Boise, ID, 2011
Alberta International Band Festival, Edmonton, AB, 2010
District 6 Music Festival, Great Falls, MT, 2010
Lower Columbia College Honor Band, Longview, WA, 2010
Northwest Montana Honor Band, Libby, MT, 2010
Western Montana Class AA Band Festival, Missoula, MT, 2009
University of Texas-Arlington Marching Band Contest, Arlington, TX, 2007
Regional 9 Solo and Ensemble Festival, Cedar City, UT, 2006
Region 9 Concert Band Festival, Cedar City, UT, 2006
Clark County District Band Festival, Las Vegas, NV, 2005
Region 9 Marching Band Festival, Southern UT, 2004, 2005
Cedar High Solo & Ensemble Festival, Cedar City, UT, 2004, 2005
Clark County Honor Band, conductor, Las Vegas, NV, 2006
Southern Utah University Honor Band, conductor, Cedar City, UT, 2004-2006
Guest Clinician/Presenter/Performer:
Absarokee High School, Absarokee,, MT
American Fork HS, American Fork, UT
Beaverhead Co. High School, Dillon, MT
Belgrade High School, Belgrade, MT
Bellevue High School, Bellevue, WA
Billings Senior High School, Billings, MT
Big Sky High School, Missoula, MT
Box Elder High School, Brigham City, UT
Bozeman High School, Bozeman, MT
Canyonview High School, Cedar City, UT
Capital High School, Helena, MT
Cedar City High School, Cedar City, UT
Central Valley High School, Spokane, WA
Cheney High School, Cheney, WA
Chiawana High School, Pasco, WA
C.M. Russell HS, Great Falls, MT
Coeur d’Alene HS, Coeur d’Alene, ID
Cottonwood High School, Murray, UT
Dixie High School, St. George, UT
Dobson High School, Mesa, AZ
Fergus High School, Lewistown, MT
Ferris High School, Spokane, WA
Flathead High School, Kalispell, MT
Glacier High School, Kalispell, MT
Grand Ledge HS, Grand Ledge, MI
Great Falls High School, Great Falls, MT
Hanford High School, Richland, WA
Helena High School, Helena, MT
Hellgate High School, Missoula, MT
Hillcrest High School, Ammons, ID
Hurricane High School, Hurricane, UT
Kingston High School, North Kitsap, WA
Lakeside High, Nine Mile Falls, WA
Lapeer East High School, Lapeer, MI
Lapeer West High School, Lapeer, MI
Lewis and Clark HS, Spokane, WA
Lehi High School, Lehi, UT
Marcos De Niza High School, Tempe, AZ
Mead High School, Mead, WA
Mercer Island HS, Mercer Island, WA
Mount Spokane High, Spokane, WA
North Sevier High School, Salina, UT
Park High School, Livingston, MT
Pleasant Grove HS, Pleasant Grove, UT
Post Falls High School, Post Falls, ID
Richfield High School, Richfield, UT
Richland High School, Richland, WA
Saline High School, Saline, MI
Sammamish HS, Sammamish, WA
Sentinel High School, Missoula, MT
Skyline High School, Mesa, AZ
Snow Canyon HS, St. George, UT
South Summit Middle School, Kamas, UT
Spanish Springs High School, Sparks, NV
Sweet Grass Co. High, Big Timber, MT
Tri-County Honor Band, SE MT
Washington Middle School, Missoula, MT
West High School, Billings, MT
West Jordan High, West Jordan, UT
Zemmer Middle School, Lapeer, MI
Development
Visiting Scholar Grant, November 2014. Awarded $1500 to partially fund the 2015
Composers Showcase featuring guest clinicians, Joel Puckett and D.J. Sparr and guest
trumpet soloist, MSgt. Michael Mergen of the President’s Own Marine Band. The
event will include five concerts featuring the works of UM student composers and
those of Dr. Puckett and Dr. Sparr culminating in a wind ensemble concert with two
consortium premiere’s.
Instrument Replacement Subsidization, 2012-present. Developing a campaign in
conjunction with alumni and a regional bank to raise funds to replace aging
instruments.
Associated Students of the University of Montana, 2008-present. Awarded over
$30,000 to subsidize educational outreach tours by UM ensembles to high schools in
the Northwest U.S.
Guest Artist Series, 2008-present. Funded residencies by renowned instrumentalists
Deanna Swaboda (tuba), Harry Watters (trombone), Christopher Deane (percussion),
Kimberly Cole Luevano (clarinet), and Rachel Childers (horn) with the UM Concert
Band Festival, Missoula County Public Schools and the Associated Students of UM.
Visiting Scholar Grant, May 2009. Awarded $1500 to fund residency by guest artists
from “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band residency and concert with
the University of Montana Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
George S. and Delores Doré Eccles Foundation Grant – Awarded $12,000 to
commission Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Michael Colgrass to write a new work.
Southern Utah University Convocation Grant – $5,000 to bring Pulitzer Prize winning
composer, Michael Colgrass, to campus for a series of lectures, rehearsals, and a
concert of his music.
Utah Symphony Residency, 2004-2006 – Founded annual string, woodwind, brass, and
percussion master classes to be held campus for university and community members.
Student Senate Funding Grants – Acquired over $6000 from the SUU Student Senate
for the purpose of funding music student enrichment projects.
Conducting Studies
Principal Teachers:
Gary W. Hill, William Reber, Timothy Russell – Arizona State University
H. Robert Reynolds, Kevin L. Sedatole, James Tapia – University of Michigan
Workshops & Master Classes:
Franck Ollu – Ensemble Modern, Frankfurt, Germany
Michael Gielen - Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, Baden-Baden
Kenneth Kiesler – University of Michigan, New Hampshire SO
Michael Christie – Phoenix Symphony, Minnesota Opera
Craig Kirchhoff – University of Minnesota
Alan McMurray – University of Colorado
Timothy Reynish – Royal Northern College of Music (emeritus)
Jeff Grogan – Asst. Conductor, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Composer Collaborations/Residencies/Premieres - *premiere
John Luther Adams
Samuel Adler
Martin Bresnick
Michael Colgrass*
Michael Gielen
Huck Hodge*
Michael Markowski
David Maslanka*
James Mobberley*
Ben Murphy*
Craig Naylor*
Charles Nichols*
Joel Puckett*
Wolfgang Rihm
Patrick Schulz
Joseph Schwantner*
D.J. Sparr*
Ryan Springler
Christopher Stark*
Christopher Theofanidis*
Joseph Turrin*
Commissions
Luminosity (2014) – Joseph Schwantner
15th Night of the Moon (2014) – Joel Puckett
Clouds of Witness (2014) – D.J. Sparr
Velocity Meadows for oboe, electronics, video & ensemble (2014) – Chris Stark
On This Bright Morning (2013) – David Maslanka
Concerto for Marimba and Wind Ensemble (2012) – Christopher Theofanidis
From the Language of Shadows (2011) - Huck Hodge
Kai! - (2011) – Craig Naylor
Precious Metals Concert for Flute and Winds (2010) – D.J. Sparr
Chickadee Symphony (2010) – Craig Naylor
The Power of Slowing (2010) – Charles Nichols
Raag Mala: The Music of India Through Western Ears (2006) – Michael Colgrass
Conducting Workshops (participant)
Medomak Orchestral Conducting Workshop, Washington, ME, July, 2002 & 2004
Conducted in a select class of thirty participants under the tutelage of Kenneth
Keisler, Marianne Ploger and Jerald Schweibert.
Conductor’s Art Symposium, Ann Arbor, MI, 1997-2000
Participant - Conducted members of the Michigan Bands under the tutelage of
H. Robert Reynolds, Craig Kirchhof, Allen McMurray, Kevin Sedatole, James
Tapia, and Jeff Grogan.
International Workshop for Orchestral Conducting, Graz, Austria, 1996. Conducted in
workshops and FAME Youth Orchestra under the tutelage of William Larue
Jones, Marvin Rabin, and Robert Culver.
Awards
Meritorious Faculty Award, University of Montana, 2014
Tenure, University of Montana, 2013
Promotion to Associate Professor of Music, 2012
Meritorious Faculty Award, University of Montana, 2011
Eleanor Tripke Award for Prestigious Workshops (conducting), 2007
Herberger College of Fine Arts Travel Award (conducting), 2007
ASU Department of Music Student Enrichment Grant (conducting), 2007
ASU School of Music, Special Talent Award (conducting), 2007-2008
Graduate Research Assistantship (conducting), Arizona State University, 2006-2008
Graduate Teaching Assistantship (conducting), Arizona State University, 2001-2003
Richard Perry Scholarship (trumpet performance), 1996
Phillip Power Grant for Summer Studies Abroad (conducting) 1996
Richard Knab D.M.E. Memorial Scholarship (music education), 1995
Charles Walgreen Scholarship (trumpet performance), 1994
University of Michigan Merit Scholarship (trumpet performance), 1993
Professional Affiliations
Conductors Guild
American Music Center
College Band Directors National Association
National Association for Music Education and State Affiliates
Kappa Kappa Psi – honorary member
Phi Beta Mu - member
Education
Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting, Arizona State University, December, 2009
Concentrations: wind conducting, orchestral conducting, opera conducting
Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant in Conducting
Lecture Recital: Fear No Music: A History of the American Contemporary Music
Ensemble. Music by John Adams, Sofia Gubaidulina, Jennifer Higdon, and Roshanne
Etezady.
Dissertation: The Programming Practices of Alarm Will Sound, The International
Contemporary Ensemble, and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players from
2004-2009.
Master of Music Education, Arizona State University, 2003
Concentrations: wind conducting, orchestral conducting, opera conducting
Additional Cognate: Music Education
Graduate Teaching Assistant in Conducting
Bachelor of Music, Wind Instruments, University of Michigan, 1997
Concentrations: trumpet performance, teacher certification.