Andre Raphel Smith and Kelvin De'Marcus Allen
team up to create new net-based company,
Andre Raphel Smith and Associates

In his third season as Music Director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, Conductor André Raphel Smith enjoys a reputation as one of this country’s most exciting artists. Highlights of his 2004-2005 season with the Wheeling Symphony include the World Premiere of a commissioned work by Richard Danielpour, and a Viennese Festival focusing on the music of Gustav Mahler and Johann Strauss, Jr. In the summer of 2004, he led the orchestra at the National Performing Arts Convention, as part of the American Symphony Orchestra League’s National Conference in Pittsburgh.

From 1994-2000, Mr. Smith served as Assistant Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Highlights of his tenure include acclaimed performances of John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 1, and the world premiere of Hannibal Peterson’s “One Heart Beating.” For four years prior to his appointment in Philadelphia, he served as Assistant Conductor of the Saint Louis Symphony, under the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Conductors program. He also has served as an Assistant Conductor to Kurt Masur at the New York Philharmonic.

Mr. Smith enjoys an active career as guest conductor. In June 2005 he made his European debut, leading a trio of performances with Germany’s Neubrandenberg Philharmonic. During the 2004-05 season he also made a successful debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony. He has conducted most of the major orchestras in the US, including the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. In recent seasons he has conducted the Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Fort Worth, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Knoxville, Memphis, National, New Jersey, New World, North Carolina, Oregon, Saint Louis, Seattle, Syracuse and Utah Symphony Orchestras, Louisiana and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. His international engagements have included appearances with Germany’s Neubrandenberg Philharmonic, Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica, Brazil’s Campos Do Jordao Festival Orchestra, and New Zealand’s Auckland Philharmonia.

Mr. Smith appears frequently as guest conductor at music festivals and has appeared at the Blossom Music Festival with the Cleveland Orchestra and at the Mann Music Center with the Philadelphia Orchestra. During 2005, he appeared at Topeka’s Sunflower Music Festival. He also has led performances at the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, Tanglewood Music Center, Eastern Music Festival and with the Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra in Chicago.

Mr. Smith has a strong and active interest in audience development and arts education. During his tenure with the Saint Louis Symphony he served as Music Director of the orchestra’s “In Unison” program, a highly successful partnership between the orchestra and local churches. He also has been heard as a featured artist on NPR’s “Performance Today.” Maestro Smith’s commitment to education also is reflected in his work with orchestras at leading conservatories and training programs throughout the country. He frequently appears with the Juilliard Orchestra and has led the performances at the National Orchestral Institute, New World Symphony, and with the Young Artists Orchestra at Tanglewood.

Born in Durham, NC, Mr. Smith began formal music lessons at age 11. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami and continued his studies at Yale University where he earned a Master’s degree. While at Yale, Smith began his conducting studies with Otto-Werner Mueller. He pursued further study with Maestro Mueller at the Curtis Institute of Music, earning a diploma in conducting and at The Juilliard School where he was awarded the Bruno Walter Memorial Scholarship and received an Advanced Certificate in orchestral conducting.

Mr. Smith is the recipient of numerous awards that attest to his artistry. He has received Honorary Commendations from the cities of Philadelphia and Saint Louis. In 2001, he was awarded the “Order of the Long Leaf Pine” by the North Carolina Senate. The award, presented annually, is the state’s highest honor for a civilian. In May 2004, André Raphel Smith delivered the commencement address at West Liberty State College whereupon he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate.