Smiths Station Bands

Jed R. Smart is a native of Lake Harding, Alabama and a graduate of Smiths Station High School where his band director was Mr. Rick Teel. He attended the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the "Million Dollar Band," the Alabama Jazz Ensemble, and the coveted Alabama Wind Ensemble, receiving the Bachelor of Science (Music Education - Instrumental) degree in 2001.

During his time at the Capstone, Mr. Smart held the privilege of performing with such names as Arturo Sandoval, Allen Vizzutti, Jean Pierre Rampal, Ransome Wilson, The Trans-Atlantic Horn Quartet, The Canadian Brass, The St. Louis Brass Quintet, and Guenther Shuller. As well as being under the baton of Gerald Welker, Frederick Fennell, Kathryn Scott, and Kenneth Ozzello. Mr. Smart is a graduate from the trumpet studio of the late Michael Johnson.

Before accepting the position as Associate Director of Bands at Smiths Station High School, Mr. Smart taught one year at Pickens Academy in Carrollton, Alabama and one year at Handley High School in Roanoke, Alabama. His duties at Smiths Station High School include, but are not limited to, being director of the Junior High Band Program, Conductor of the SSHS Concert Band, Assistant to the Marching and Symphonic Bands, and arranger for the "Panther Spirit" Marching Band.

Mr. Smart has also performed orchestrally in several off Broadway musical productions including "Rent", "Cats", "Les Miserables", "My Fair Lady", "Sweeney Todd", "Into the Woods" and "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Professional affiliations include Delta Sigma Pi, International Association of Jazz Educators, National Band Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Alabama Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, and the Alabama Education Association. He has served as Vice-Chairman for the Alabama Independent School Association - Band Division. Mr. Smart is currently the State Chairman for the Tri-M Music Honor Society, Resident conductor of the American Legion Boy's State, and was named to Who's Who Among American Teachers in 2002 and 2005, as well as the National Honor Roll in 2005.

Mr. Smart enjoys Crimson Tide and Green Bay Packers Football, Jimmy Buffett concerts, collecting vinyls, fine dining and cooking, spending time with friends and family and vacationing abroad. He currently resides in Smiths Station, Alabama with his beautiful wife, Abby. Mr. Smart completed his Master of Science Degree in Music Education in 2005 at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Currently, Mr. Smart is working toward his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at Boston University.