Class of 2019, Music Education-trombone

At the University of Evansville, James Smith was a trombone player who majored in Music Education. He performed in many different ensembles including Wind Ensemble, University Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Low Brass Ensemble. During James’s time at the University, he was able to perform with artists including Doc Severson, Allen Vizzutti, the New York Voices, and Gina Moore. James was able to travel to Iowa to play in the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) convention, Tennessee and Alabama for a Wind Ensemble tour, Chicago to perform in the Elmhurst Jazz Festival, and St. Louis for the Arch Madness Basketball tournament. While as a music education major, James was able to intern, and student teach at high level band programs in the Evansville area. He was able to assist North High School’s marching band that made it to the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) marching band state finals. He was also able to student teach at Helfrich Park STEM Academy where he helped assist the program to win the ISSMA all school music award. Outside of class, James held the title of President for the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity where he trained and scheduled stage management for all the UE Music Department concerts.

After graduating from the University of Evansville, James received the band director position at Benjamin Bosse High School in Evansville, IN. At his time at Bosse High School, James has taught middle school and high school students. Under James’s direction, the Pride of Bosse Marching Band has consistently grown in enrollment and have been consistently making ISSMA Semi-State. Their 2020 marching band show titled “Making a Difference” won the Evansville Leadership Sam Featherstone Award and was featured in the Evansville Living Magazine. James has also received Gold Ratings from both EVSC and ISSMA evaluation events for concert band and has had many students receive Gold Ratings at State Solo and Ensemble.

James currently lives in Evansville, IN with his wife (Tara), and is working on his master’s degree from the American College of Education. UE was a great experiencing allowing for students to observe great classroom teachers as early as Freshman year, and small class sizes made it easy to get immediate and personal feedback. The best part about UE was that every staff member knew my name and cared about my education.