Robert Smith

"Robert Smith has played the trumpet since he was nine years old. After a student career winning top spots in Florida All-State bands and orchestras, the Chicago Civic Orchestra and a concerto contest win at Brevard Music Center, he attended Northwestern University and was later awarded a Fellowship with the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood. His principal teachers included former members of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony, among others.

Before joining The Florida Orchestra, Robert performed principal trumpet work in the Mexico City Philharmonic, the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra, and the Charleston Symphony. He had also been an active freelance player in the greater Chicago area, performed as principal trumpet with the Elgin Symphony and the Chicago City Ballet, and was active as a recording musician in the commercial studios in Chicago and with Music of the Baroque.

Robert joined the Florida Orchestra in 1984, and has served as its Principal Trumpet since 1994. He has been a featured soloist in its concerts numerous times, performing works by Haydn, Hummel, Shostakovich, Vivaldi, Arutunian, Bellstedt and Arban. He has also served as a Guest Principal for the symphony orchestras of Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Cincinnati, New Zealand and Singapore. Other appointments have included music festivals in Florida, Colorado and California. He has served as a guest piccolo trumpet specialist on Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 with several orchestras in Florida and Illinois."