Florida A&M University’s very own, Voshaun Smith, is the assistant band director at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale. He recently brought students to perform for the Wind Ensemble concert and clinic this past weekend. The event was not only for the Incomparable Marching 100 but other Florida high schools and middle schools.
Keyly Granada, a senior student in the Wind Symphony, shared her experience about the event.
“The music on the program was very exciting to play and it was a great experience to make music with my classmates,” Granada said.
Voshaun Smith was filled with joy returning back to Florida A&M and said the experience was nostalgic.
“Being in college felt like it would last forever but there I was, a graduate back on campus with my students. Showing them the campus, telling them stories of my time there, and having them share in the same joy that I had when I attended the university, ” Smith said.
Smith’s journey with music didn’t start by teaching at Dillard High School. His passion for music started at a young age and it was one of the first things that he felt he did well in. Being able to express himself with his instrument was a release that made him cling to the band.
Even though his parents support was more financial, his community of friends and their parents never made him feel like he was alone. Along with the support of friends, mentors like Sheldon McLean who was his band director at Dillard High School, introduced him to FAMU’s music program during a band trip.
In 2016, Smith was accepted into FAMU and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While working on his degree he traveled with multiple ensembles. Among those ensembles were the Incomparable Marching 100, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Brass Ensemble and the Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. He was also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Since graduating in 2021, assisting with the band at Dillard has allowed Smith to invest in students like the same was done with him as a young boy.
According to the Panther Print, Dillard’s newsletter for the band program, they have earned 70 superior rating models at the district solo and ensemble music performance assessments.
“I want to help them discover how they learn, so they can do whatever they put their mind to in life,” Smith said.
What’s next for Voshaun Smith?
In the next ten years he doesn’t know if he will still be in the public school system but he hopes to start composing. Wherever he goes, he will continue to embody the Rattler spirit that he gained while exploring music at FAMU.