Title Page | Collection Summary | Biographical/Organizational Note | Scope and Content | Arrangement
Biographical Note
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1915, Sept. 5 | Born Leonard Bingley Smith in Poughkeepsie, New York |
| 1924 | Began studying cornet with Robert A. Coon |
| 1926 | Furthered musical studies with Ernest S. Williams and joined Frank Scofield's band, the 21st Regiment Band of Poughkeepsie |
| 1930-1933 | Attended New York Military Academy, and Ernest S. Williams' School Band Camp during the summers, where he was introduced to Herbert L. Clarke, Arthur Pryor, and Edwin Franko Goldman Composed his first song |
| 1933-1936 | Attended the Ernest S. Williams School of Music in Brooklyn, whose faculty included George Howard, Erik W. G. Leidzén, Arthur Pryor, and Mayhew Lake. Graduated with a Certificate of Mastery of Music in Arranging, Performing, and Conducting |
| 1935-1937 | Hired to perform with Georges Barrere's Little Symphony |
| 1936 | Published first cornet solo, Spanish caprice |
| 1936-1942 | Performed as solo cornetist with The Goldman Band (summers) |
| 1937-1942; 1945-1946 | Played principal trumpet with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Ford Sunday Evening Hour radio orchestra |
| 1938 | Formed The Leonard Smith Training Band for high school musicians, which included Warren Benson and Harry Begian |
| 1939 | Played a world record 525 trumpet solos in one year |
| 1930s-1940s | Performed as trumpeter for the Lone Ranger, Green Hornet, and Call of the Yukon radio broadcasts, as well as Fox Movietone News |
| 1940 | Married Helen Rowe, who spearheaded publicity for Smith's musical career |
| 1942-1945 | Served in the Philadelphia Navy Yard Band and then in the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C. |
| 1945-1960 | Conducted the Detroit Shrine Temple Band |
| 1946 | Appointed conductor of the Detroit Federation of Musicians Concert Band |
| 1946-1990 | Established the Leonard Smith Band on April 5, later known as the Belle Isle Concert Band and then in 1971 as the Detroit Concert Band With this ensemble, recorded thirty-one albums as well as soundtracks for documentaries about John Philip Sousa, Theodore Roosevelt, and the space shuttle |
| circa 1950 | Daughter Sandra born |
| 1951 | Started Bandland music publishing firm with Edgar L. Barrow |
| 1952 | Published Treasury of Scales |
| 1952-1968 | Hired as consultant and clinician for the Reynolds Instrument Company |
| 1954 | Became sole owner of Bandland |
| 1950s-1990s | Guest conducted more than 600 bands and orchestras Taught at the University of Detroit, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan Published more than 450 compositions and arrangements |
| 1960 | Sold Bandland to Belwin Company |
| 1965 | Began publishing the Accompaniments Unlimited series |
| 1970-circa 1976 | Conducted Detroit Concert Band recordings of The Sousa American Bicentennial Collection |
| 1972-1997 | Conducted the Blossom Festival Concert Band |
| 1974 | Formed publishing company BOVACO (Bands-Orchestra-Vocal Accompaniment Company) with MaryLou Hornberger |
| 1979-circa 1990 | Conducted Detroit Concert Band recordings of the Gems of the Concert Band series |
| 1983 | Recorded final solo with the Detroit Concert Band |
| 1990 | Moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. |
| 1993 | Wife Helen Rowe Smith died |
| 1990-2002 | Managed BOVACO music publishing company |
| 2002, July 23 | Died, Scottsdale, Arizona |