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April 20, 2009 - Composer builds reputation one note at a time
Doug Smith has come a long way since shredding on the guitar with rock bands as a teen. On April 30, the Burnaby composer will be in Ottawa to debut a piece commissioned by the National Arts Centre (NAC).
“I have a pretty low profile,” says Smith, despite 30-plus years in the Vancouver music scene. In fact, the person who nominated him for the prestigious project remains a mystery. Smith’s piece will be performed by the NAC Orchestra as part of its Sea to Sky project. His is one of two original pieces that will be featured along with various works by visual and performing artists, all from BC.
Smith, who teaches music composition at Douglas College, has built his reputation despite an unconventional beginning in classical music. Rather than start with the piano at age 4, he first picked up a guitar at 12. “Some kids use building blocks and others use notes,” says Smith. His early inspirations were Hendrix, Dylan and the Beatles. Accordingly, he cut his teeth playing in rock bands.
However, Smith turned to classical music at 17, frustrated with his bandmates. “The only people I knew who could read music were classical musicians,” Smith says.
Today, he feels his background benefits his teaching.
“I like a piece of music on its own merits. Style is secondary. I think music is like a language and within any language, there are many dialects,” says Smith.
As composing is a solitary pursuit, Smith enjoys the interaction he gets with his students.
“It’s energizing. They’re young and unjaded but burning with ideas. In order to teach, you have to stay active in your field. I get paid to learn more about what I love. That’s a pretty good gig,” says Smith.
Bob Caldwell, coordinator of the Music Department at Douglas, predicts Smith’s latest achievement will boost his profile, along with the popularity of the college Music Program.
“Composition is all about reputation. If people listen to and like a composer’s work, they will want to study with them. Students go with the reputation of a teacher, so it’s very important to the College to have Doug’s name out there,” Caldwell explains.
Meanwhile, Smith is steeling himself for his highest-profile gig to date.
“This is the most exciting project I have done. It’s door-opening and I don’t know what will come through that door,” says Smith
-30-
“I have a pretty low profile,” says Smith, despite 30-plus years in the Vancouver music scene. In fact, the person who nominated him for the prestigious project remains a mystery. Smith’s piece will be performed by the NAC Orchestra as part of its Sea to Sky project. His is one of two original pieces that will be featured along with various works by visual and performing artists, all from BC.
Smith, who teaches music composition at Douglas College, has built his reputation despite an unconventional beginning in classical music. Rather than start with the piano at age 4, he first picked up a guitar at 12. “Some kids use building blocks and others use notes,” says Smith. His early inspirations were Hendrix, Dylan and the Beatles. Accordingly, he cut his teeth playing in rock bands.
However, Smith turned to classical music at 17, frustrated with his bandmates. “The only people I knew who could read music were classical musicians,” Smith says.
Today, he feels his background benefits his teaching.
“I like a piece of music on its own merits. Style is secondary. I think music is like a language and within any language, there are many dialects,” says Smith.
As composing is a solitary pursuit, Smith enjoys the interaction he gets with his students.
“It’s energizing. They’re young and unjaded but burning with ideas. In order to teach, you have to stay active in your field. I get paid to learn more about what I love. That’s a pretty good gig,” says Smith.
Bob Caldwell, coordinator of the Music Department at Douglas, predicts Smith’s latest achievement will boost his profile, along with the popularity of the college Music Program.
“Composition is all about reputation. If people listen to and like a composer’s work, they will want to study with them. Students go with the reputation of a teacher, so it’s very important to the College to have Doug’s name out there,” Caldwell explains.
Meanwhile, Smith is steeling himself for his highest-profile gig to date.
“This is the most exciting project I have done. It’s door-opening and I don’t know what will come through that door,” says Smith
-30-
