Cindy Smith Music   Private Instruction in Flute, Piano, and Voice

I have been singing the JOYS of motherhood this summer!  On May 18, 2014, my whole world changed with the arrival of my sweet son, Alexander Owen Smith.  He is such a blessing!  I have taken several weeks off, but am now prepared to resume teaching private lessons.  Please contact me if you are interested!

Temperatures in Arizona have finally snapped cold (today has the high of 91 degrees!) and with the chill in the air my thoughts turn to Marching Band Season, otherwise known as football season.  Although the Cardinals snatched the wildcard at last minute and therefore delayed the baseball season for me a little, my Sooners have also made me very aware that football is in full swing.

I must admit, I still tear up every time I think about gathering in the tunnels before pregame and waiting for someone in the brass section to yell, “What day is it?” and for the rest of us to yell, “GAME DAY!”  I had no idea, my freshmen year, that people in the band actually cared that it was game day and enjoyed watching the game while in their band uniform.  Going to OU definitely changed my perspective on marching band a little.  In high school, some people actually arrived at the “marching band performance” (aka football game) during the second quarter and left in the third just so they could see the Marching Panthers show.  At OU, I was shocked to see people leaving the  stands during half time.  Not that The Pride of Oklahoma wasn’t any good.  They were AWESOME.  People just came to Sooner football games to watch, well, football.  What a crazy thing to do?!?  But then I got hooked.  I began to watch the games too and became a Sooner Fan.  I didn’t lose any passion and love for marching and simply ended up enjoying not just the half-time, but also the two halves of football!  It was great!  I got to march and enjoy the game.

Well, whether you’re there for the football or just there because you like to be in the band, I want to strongly encourage anyone who will yet be or still is of age to be a part of marching band!!!  In high school, it provided a way to be a part of a team that competed and enjoyed traveling and performing in competitions.  It was a means of practice and discipline, not to mention musical expression.  For me it was a GREAT way to meet so many friends for whom I still have such admiration.  High school marching band also gave me the opportunity to fall in love with the art of conducting.

In college, Marching Band was just PURE FUN!!  Oh, there was work to it.  Hours and hours of practice, but practice was fun!  I always loved it when I would hear Roland Barrett yell, “IT’S TIME!!” and we would gather in warm-up formation.  I loved making music with such INCREDIBLE musicians!  And whether we were on the practice field marching through the drill, on a bus traveling, in the stands playing “rah-rahs,” or on the football field performing, I always had fun with the family that is called “The Pride of Oklahoma.”

Well, this weekend is OU/Texas weekend.  A tradition of football that is difficult to describe to anyone on the outside.  The rivalry is so rich.  The stadium is actually split in half at the 50 yard lines and half the stadium is Sooner red and half is an orange color that I don’t think I’d wear even if I were a Texas fan.  My memories turn to Coach Thrailkill’s speech to the freshmen about being responsible while on the trip across the Red River, Friday night’s pep rally at the Alumni “Drunk,” and the excitement of being in the band at such a great rivalry.  May this year’s Pride of Oklahoma members enjoy OU/Texas weekend just as much or more as I always did.  May the Sooners BEAT TEXAS!!  Thank God the weather in Arizona finally feels like Marching Band (Football) weather.

Over the years, my music teachers have been some of my greatest heros and mentors.  From when I started piano, with great joy, in first grade with Miss Irick, to when I cried at my last flute lesson in college with Dr. Valerie Watts, I have looked up to these experts in music with great admiration.  The faithfulness of my dear piano teacher, Mrs. Beehner, inspired me to press on with piano even when my love for flute took over.  The talent and pure leadership of my beloved band directors, Dr. Hyde, Mr. Fulton, and Mr. Cosmano gave me vision and purpose throughout my teenage years.  I knew that I always wanted to be like them – to give the gift of music to students, but also to inspire and challenge these students to live and make a difference in the world, even if it is just musically.

Now, I have my chance.  A vision from long ago has been reborn.  God has seen fit to let me be a musician.  Eternal purposes remain at the forefront of my mind and now just work their way out through teaching music, a dream I have long held.  I’m excited.  I can only hope that I can help and inspire students the way my predecessors did with me.  I love students.  I love music.  Living the dream…