Beyond the Big Band

Director John Dale Smith announces his retirement

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Friday, July 15 — After 10 years ofleading, organizing and playing with the Lansing Symphony Big Band, directorJohn Dale Smith announced his retirement Tuesday. “I loved being a part of the Lansing SymphonyBig Band, but I have a whole lot of other activities going on in my life,” hesaid, explaining why he decided to step down.

From memory, herecited a lengthy list of upcoming concerts, musicals and other plans that willrequire his time and attention. “I did it for 10 years, and I loved it, butthere’s a lot of work that goes into leading that group, and I decided now is agood time to leave.”

Smith filled a numberof roles in addition to conducting the band, and had a wide array of responsibilities.“It’s not a matter of having a conductor walk around on stage and control thebeat,” Smith explained. “There’s a lot of other work involved, and often Ichose to do it myself because then I knew it was done the way I wanted it to bedone.”

Some of his jobs includedthe obvious tasks, like choosing music for concerts, booking all of themusicians for each performance and scheduling events. But there was also a lotof legwork involved, such as getting music sheets from the library to musicians,setting up chairs and risers, ensuring there was enough room on stage for allof the instruments, tuning the piano, testing the microphones and more.

“Ten years ago thesymphony decided to have the Lansing Symphony Big Band created, and I don’tthink there’s any other symphony orchestra in the country that has a big bandas a part of it,” he said. “We did something very unique when they allowed usto create this band, and here we are 10 years later, and it’s still successful.”

During his decade asdirector, Smith took part in many exciting and rewarding performances with theBig Band, including two formal concerts a year, participating several times inthe Old Town Jazz Fest, performing for the grand opening of Macy’s in theMeridian Mall, playing in the sesquicentennial celebration on the steps of thecapitol building and even hosting musical workshops for students from EastLansing and Mason high schools.

“It’s great to puttogether a band, make that great music and see the reaction of people howmuch they loved seeing the Big Band play,” Smith reflected. But despite all ofthe memories and accomplishments, he decided it was time to move on and focuson different projects.

Smith already hasambitious arrangements for his post-Big Band life. He has two musicalproductions planned: “A Christmas Carol” in December, and anotherone for the spring. He will also be working more with the PlymouthCongregational Church on various musicals and events, and he wants to help hiswife, a professor at Lansing Community College, with the music scene class sheteaches.

Although word has notyet spread to everyone about his retirement, those who do know have beensupportive, Smith said. “They’re all very sad to see me go, but they understandhow busy I am and wish me luck. Chances our paths will be crossing againbecause I’ll hire them in other capacities.”

A selectioncommittee is being formed to find Smith’s replacement.

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