
Trombone
John Smith has been a member of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra since 1979. He holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from the University of Iowa and is a retired DeKalb band teacher. He has a varied music background including playing with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, pit orchestras for musicals, and church orchestras. And he has been a member of the DeKalb Municipal Band since 1967.
John is also president of J D Music Pros, featuring the Shananigans Big Band, Broadway Orchestra, Shananigan Combo, A Wing and A Prayer Dixieland Orchestra, Hintzsche Jazztet, and Kishwaukee Brass Quintet. He is also president of Just Make It Happen, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide entertainment to benefit the community, such as Let’s Dance Weekend, November Splendor, Community Worship Services project: New Orleans Worship and Brass in Worship, DeKalb Christmas Brass Kettle Project, classic concerts and events featuring the Great American Songbook, “Artist in Residence” programs for K-12 students, and preschool initiatives; and he has designed, directed, and performed in Christmas and Original Themed Stage Shows:
He has been a member of the American Federation of Musicians since age 16 and is currently a member of Local 10-208 of the Chicago AFT.