Lamar Smith is the Head Orchestra Director at Alamo Heights High School. His 25-year career has been spent in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Wylie ISD, and McKinney ISD. Most of his time was at the high school level, but he also enjoyed teaching middle school at two different points. In graduate school, Mr. Smith even got to teach college students string instrument methods on the same day he taught elementary school students in the String Project!

 

A graduate of the University of North Texas College of Music, Mr. Smith studied viola with Dr. Susan Dubois and was under the baton of Anshel Brulisow in the UNT Symphony. Mr. Smith is a proud product of Texas public schools and of public school teachers: both of his parents are retired teachers. (Fun fact: Mr. Smith’s mom was his fifth grade teacher!) A native of Houston, Mr. Smith grew up in Pasadena ISD, one of the flagship districts for orchestra programs in the state.

 

Mr. Smith served on the executive board of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association 2013-2018 and was president 2016-2017. Additionally, he has served as Region 24 Orchestra Chair, Region 25 Middle School Coordinator and is currently the orchestra vice-president for the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. In 2021, he was honored as the first recipient of the TODA Director of Distinction award. Other professional affiliations include American String Teachers Association and Mu Omicron, the honor society for Texas orchestra directors.

 

An avid cook, Mr. Smith loves cookbooks, recipes, and interesting restaurants. He also enjoys hiking, reading, and most of all travel. His family includes Justin (human), Remington (dog), Sybil (dog), Angelica (cat), and Ruby (cat). He is thrilled to get to be a part of the legacy of AHHS Orchestra.