Claude Thomas Smith was born on March 14, 1932, in Monroe City, Missouri, and spent most of his life in Carrollton, Missouri. After studying at Central Methodist College, he received a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas in 1958. Along with public school teaching in the state of Missouri, Smith also taught theory, composition, and directed the University Orchestra at Southwest Missouri State University. Smith was the recipient of many commissions and awards and was popular as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator. He died suddenly of a heart attack on December 13, 1987, after conducting one of his own works at the blue Ridge Presbyterian Church in Raytown, Missouri.

Year of publication: 1981

Publisher: Jensen

Type of composition: Overture

Grade: 3

Programming Suggestions: Claude T. Smith’s easy, effective set of variations is destined to become a classic grade III overture. This is easy festival programming at its best..

Solo instruments: flute, trumpet, horn

Anecdotal notes: Flute and Piccolo on same part with divisi indications. All three Soprano Clarinets go over. the break. Bass Clarinet goes over the break twice. Brass parts (horn, trombone, baritone) are cued in Saxes. Frequent tempo and style changes. Dynamics range from piano to fortissimo. One mallet player is instructed to move to Percussion 2 part. Timpani has 4 Pitch changes: B-flat/E-flat to C/F to A/D to C/F. Timpani will have to make two pitch changes in the span of 4 measures. Several key and meter changes may confuse younger students.