Blending artistry, innovation, and education

Rob Smith is a trumpeter, educator, and composer/arranger currently based in Hattiesburg, MS.

About Me

Performer

Rob Smith currently serves as third trumpet in the Meridian and Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestras and second trumpet with the Southern Arts Brass Quintet. Smith has appeared as a featured soloist with the Meridian, Susanville, and University of Nevada, Reno Symphony Orchestras and the TOCATTA Lake Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra. Smith has also performed as a substitute trumpet with the Mobile, Mississippi, and Pensacola Symphony Orchestras as well as the Reno Philharmonic and Symphony of Southeast Texas Brass Quintet.

Composer/Arranger

Sought after as a composer and arranger, Smith’s compositional debut, “Fairytale No. 1 - Arthur,” received the first prize in the 2022 University of Nevada, Reno Symphony OrchestraL Composition Contest. Likewise, his arrangements for brass quintet and trumpet ensemble have been recorded by the Brass Forge Quintet and performed by the Southern Arts Brass Quintet and by various collegiate brass programs across the United States.

Educator

Providing a unique blend of fundamentals focused pedagogy with creative exploration, Rob Smith maintains a reputation as a highly sought after educator in South Mississippi. He has appeared as guest clinician for the University of Southern Mississippi’s 2023 and 2024 “Lions Band Workshop” and formerly served as Adjunct Instructor of High Brass at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Additionally, Smith currently maintains an active undergraduate and non-major studio as a Doctoral Graduate Teaching Assistant within the University of Southern Mississippi as well a private studio of young performers from high schools across Mississippi’s southern region.

Full Artist Bio

Robert Smith is a trumpeter, arranger, and composer based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and currently serves as Third Trumpet in the Meridian and Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestras and is a founding member of The Brass Forge. Known for his versatility and expressive playing, Robert’s performance career spans a wide range of musical styles and settings—from orchestral and chamber music to jazz, pop, and contemporary works. He has additionally performed with ensembles such as the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Susanville Symphony, TOCCATA Lake Tahoe Symphony, and the Reno Jazz Orchestra.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Robert has been featured with TOCCATA Lake Tahoe Symphony, Susanville Symphony, University of Southern Mississippi Symphonic Winds, and the University of Nevada, Reno Symphony Orchestra. He also appeared as a guest artist with the Southern Arts Brass Quintet and the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. A dedicated competitor, Robert has earned recognition in events such as the National Trumpet Competition, where he and the UNR Trumpet Ensemble were named quarterfinalists in the small ensemble division, and the Music Teachers National Association Competition, where he placed second in Nevada’s Young Artist Brass Solo category.

He has presented and performed at several major music conventions including the 2025, 2024, and 2018 International Trumpet Guild Conference, 2023 Reno Jazz Festival, 2020 Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and the 2017 Jazz Education Network Convention. Robert has performed alongside acclaimed artists such as Ashley Hall-Tighe, Amanda Stewart, Erik Ralske, Hiram Diaz, Willie Clarke, Aldo Lopez-Gavilan, Chris Moore, Brian Walker, Bobby Sanabria, Tamir Hendelman, Mike Vax, and Kyle Athayde, and has participated in masterclasses with renowned trumpeters including Ashley Hall-Tighe, Jens Lindemann, Mark Hughes, Paul Merkelo, Allen Vizzutti, and Phil Snedecor.

In addition to performing, Robert is an active composer and arranger. His recent work, Fairy Tale No. 1 – “Arthur”, won the 2023 University of Nevada, Reno Symphony Orchestra Composition Contest. His arrangements of various pop tunes and classical standards have been recorded by The Brass Forge and regularly performed by the Southern Arts Brass Quintet and various collegiate ensembles across the country.

Robert Smith is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Southern Mississippi where he performs as part of the Southern Arts Brass Quintet and serves the trumpet studio as Graduate Teaching Assistant to Dr. TJ Tesh. Smith holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno and a Bachelor of Music Degree from Lamar University. He is a former student of Jon Bhatia, Kris Hammond, Dr. Nairam Simoes, and Dr. Brian Shook.