Clarence M. Smith – Band Director, Business Owner

Born in 1882, Smith learned to play the cornet in 1896 at the age of 14. He established the Carlisle Community band in 1900 at the age of 18 and five years later, the entire group enlisted in the US Army to become part of the 8^th Pennsylvania Infantry Band.  Smith also started high school bands in Newville and Shippensburg, along with community bands in 1920 and 1930 respectively. He became leader and first director of the Pomona Grange Orchestra, which combined all the orchestras in Cumberland County into one ensemble to give concerts at Williams Grove.

Smith organized the first Carlisle High School band to play at the dedication ceremony of the Stevens School Building on November 19, 1926 at the intersection of Franklin and Lincoln streets. They performed at their first football game on Thanksgiving Day a few weeks later at a home game against Mechanicsburg in front of 3,000 fans.

In addition to directing the band, Smith owned the Smith Music House in downtown Carlisle for over 40 years. The shop began on West High Street before moving to South Hanover Street to expand the business to include appliances.

Smith had such an impact on so many people’s lives, that in 1972, a special concert was held to honor Smith’s 90^th birthday and over 700 people filled the Carlisle High School auditorium. Both the Carlisle and Shippensburg community bands played a joint ensemble of “Stars and Stripes Forever” in his honor. The Carlisle Borough council even issued a special proclamation in recognition of Smith’s contribution to local music.

Smith played all instruments and specialized in the cornet and clarinet during his life. He passed away in 1978 at the age of 96 years old. He believed that giving music to every child would help equip them to make the best choices and use of their leisure time in life.

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