Guest Artist: Brandon Smith

Brandon Smith is proud to be joining the University of Kentucky faculty as the Visiting Lecturer of tuba and euphonium. Prior to this position, Smith led the tuba and euphonium studio at Valdosta State University, where he taught applied lessons, studio class, brass methods, and music appreciation. Smith has given masterclasses at several universities, including Kennesaw State University, Florida A&M University, Mississippi State University, University of Tennessee, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Reinhardt University. Smith’s students have performed at the Army Band Tuba and Euphonium Conference, as well as the South East Regional Tuba and Euphonium conference. Students from Smith’s studio include winners and finalists of multiple competitions, including the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference solo artist competition, the Leonard Falcone solo artist competition, and the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition.

Smith is a versatile musician who has performed extensively as an orchestral, chamber, and solo artist. As a soloist, he has performed solo recitals at the Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Tuba and Euphonium Workshop, the Southeastern Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference, Kennesaw State University, Stetson University, and Reinhardt University. Smith was awarded the Bronze Medal in the 2020 Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Artist Tuba Competition, and has also been a finalist for the Army Band “Pershing’s Own” 2020 Tuba and Euphonium Conference solo competition.

As an orchestral musician, Smith has served as principal tubist for the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. He has also played with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Arlington Philharmonic, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra, the Tyson’s McLean Orchestra, and the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. He was awarded first prize in the 2019 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference’s Arnold Jacobs Mock Orchestra Competition, and has been a finalist for tuba positions with the Florida Orchestra, Austin Symphony Orchestra, the United States Air Force Academy Band, and the United States Navy Band.

Smith holds a Doctorate in Music Performance from Florida State University, a Master’s in Music Performance from the University of Tennessee, and a Bachelor’s in Music Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory. His primary teachers include Dr. Justin Benavidez, Dr. Alexander Lapins, and Michael Bunn, respectively.