A native Oklahoman, Dr. Smith holds degrees in music education and composition from Sam Houston State University and Howard Payne University, with advanced degrees from Baylor University, Regent College, Carey Theological College, and Trinity College at the University of Bristol, England. He is an accomplished educator, musician, composer, and theologian, and has taught at the middle school, high school, university and graduate school levels. He writes instrumental and choral music, and, has authored several books, chapters in collections, and numerous journal articles on the topics of music, aesthetics and theology.
Initially a music educator and composer, Dr. Smith served as band director in several public and private schools in Texas and Virginia before becoming the Director of the United States Naval Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, and eventually, Lecturer of University Bands at Baylor University. Dr. Smith has arranged or composed over 700 pieces of music for band, choir and orchestra. He is the staff arranger for Montana State University Bands. He is in demand as a composer, arranger and adjudicator throughout the country. He has judged for Tournament of Bands, Drum Corps Associates, and has been judging for USBands since 2008.