Classical musician Jordan Randall Smith is a dynamic and energetic conductor, known for his unwavering devotion to reaching people everywhere with the unique power of music. Jordan is highly regarded for his thrilling performances, innovative approaches to programming, his thoughtful interpretations, and for using his interpersonal skills to serve as an advocate for classical music, with with particular attention to music of the modern era.
Jordan Randall Smith is the Co-founder of the Dallas Festival of Modern Music and the festival's sister ensemble, Ars Nova Dallas, serving as Conductor and Artistic Director. The festival has offered Dallas and online audiences exciting and unique performances over the past four years, receiving rave reviews. According to the Ft. Worth Music Examiner, Jordan, "drove an intensity in the air," leading Ars Nova Dallas in a series of performances of Schönberg's 20th century landmark, Pierrot Lunaire. Having seen excerpts of Ars Nova Dallas performing Boulez’ Le Marteau sans Maître, Ars New York Philharmonic Music Director Allen Gilbert called Jordan’s conducting, “impressive.”
As and advocate Jordan says, “Perhaps the best analogy would be that I try to serve as simply a translator between two different musical languages; both are vibrant and beautiful, each of them in their own way. I believe that it is my job to help people to find that there is a relevance, a kind of electricity in contemporary music that speaks directly to our modern values, our modern struggles, hopes, and dreams. Much of the time, it can be as simple as helping people to see the humor in a certain chord, or the optimism behind a particular musical gesture.”
No stranger to the music of the great masters, Jordan Randall Smith formerly served as Apprentice Conductor of the Dallas Bach Society Orchestra and Chorus, assisting Maestro James Richman in rehearsals and performances. Mr. Smith is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in orchestral and operatic conducting at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, a student of Gustav Meier, Markand Thakar, and Marin Alsop. He has mentored hundreds of young students in ensembles across the country and has served as Assistant Conductor of the Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra (Allen, Texas), manifesting his firm commitment to developing talented young musicians.
With deep connection to America's rich choral music heritage, Jordan Randall Smith formerly sang tenor with the Highland Park Chorale and the Dallas Bach Society. The Dallas Morning News said of a 2010 Bach Society Messiah performance, “the 24-voice chorus was admirably balanced and blended, with diction so clear that, for once, printed texts weren't missed.” Mr. Smith began his musical career as a percussionist and is still an active performer both as soloist and chamber musician, having performed for General Norman Schwartzkopf and several Dallas Mayors. Jordan has worked with world-renowned artists including Marin Alsop, Gustav Meier, Markand Thakar, Peter Ettrup Larsen, and James Setapen.
