Alfred L. Watkins

On September 21, 2023, the music world, and more specifically the band world, lost a giant in our profession, composer, arranger, author, music publisher, lecturer, Robert W. Smith. On our Cobb Wind Symphony's 25th Annual Spring Concert last month, we paid tribute to Robert with by inviting 53 middle school students to join our 110-member ensemble on Robert’s work, “Encanto.” The students were from the 25 middle schools in the Cobb County School District along with ms students whose teachers play in CWS.

Although Robert composed over 600 pieces for symphonic, film, commercials, marching band, chamber, and jazz (including three symphonies), it is his work in the area of school music, or as he coined it, “educational music,” that we chose to be the focus our tribute. His “Encanto” is indicative of this disposition.

Please note the ovation for the young students,x and for Robert, at the end. Our Cobb County Community has always embraced youths in music and this ovation is no exception. Robert is survived by his wife Susan L. Smith, and daughters Savannah Smith and Madison W. Smith.This performance is led by one of our members of the flute section, Kimberly Lemmick Snyder. Ms. Synder is Assistant Director of Bands at Lassiter and is a CWS Charter member. Rest in Peace, Robert W. and you will not be forgotten.

Encanto The Cobb Wind Symphony performs Encanto composed by Robert W. S,otj/ This video is from a live performance on May 19th, 2024 in the Lassiter High School Conc...

Best wishes to my dear friend and fellow FAMUan, Scotty Barnhart, on conducting the 2024 Georgia All-State Jazz Band this weekend at our annual GMEA In-Service Conference. Scotty is the Leader of the famed Count Basie Orchestra and on the faculty of the FSU School of Music. Keep swangin', Scotty.