Spencer Smith
Composer, Copyist, Performer, Educator
Spencer Smith (he/him, b. 1999) is a composer (ASCAP), copyist, performer, and educator. Compositionally, his work is influenced by a diverse spectrum of music, from jazz, bluegrass, classic rock, classical music, and many others. He has written music for various ensembles, including string quartet, percussion ensemble, wind ensemble, solo percussion, and many more. His works mainly focus on interpersonal relationships and the struggles that people face therein, but he has also written tone poems based on short stories and films; however, he is open to any project that comes his way. He also works as a freelance music copyist and has copied works for Daniel Bukvich, among others.
A percussionist and drum set player, Spencer has also performed with many ensembles and conductors. At the collegiate level, he has performed for the choirs, wind ensembles, orchestras, jazz bands, combo programs, marching/pep bands, and wind ensembles, among many others, at the University of Idaho and Washington State University. He was also the principal percussionist of the Washington-Idaho Symphony for two years [include these hyperlinks for rest of section]. Before college, he performed with various combos, having won the Lakefair Battle of the Bands in 2016, as well as earning a trip to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2017 to perform on Beale Street.
In addition to composing, Spencer is also an educator and a student. He currently teaches lessons virtually and in-person in the area of Olympia, Washington. Before this summer, he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music (B.Mus.) from the University of Idaho after studying at Washington State University. His mentors include Daniel Bukvich, Dr. Ruby Fulton, Professor David Jarvis, Dr. Christopher Wilson, and Dr. Greg Yasinitsky. Prior to college, he took lessons from SPU Percussion Director Dan Adams.
In his (limited) free time, Spencer has activities outside of music! He loves to play frisbee as well as run and bike. He is also a fanatic for board games as well as tortoises, of which he has one named Emerald.