Joshua D. Smith

Dr. Joshua D. Smith is the owner of Ox and Lamb Percussion Publications (oxandlambmusic.com) and serves as Visiting Lecturer of Band and Percussion at the University of Kentucky where he teaches and directs various groups within the UK music community, including the UK Drumline, UK Athletic Bands and Concert Band, the UK Percussion Ensemble, percussion studio class, and applied lessons within the UK Percussion Studio. Smith earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas, a Master of Music Performance degree from James Madison University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Kentucky.

As a performer, Joshua D. Smith maintains a healthy schedule that includes intimate venues for solo recital performances and orchestral halls for symphonic engagements. Through various performing entities, Smith has participated in a number of USA and World Premieres, including performances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, and at Carnegie Hall. As a recording percussionist, Smith has contributed to CD and DVD recordings through the GIA/Windworks label. In the role of an orchestral percussionist, Dr. Smith regularly performs some of the finest literature in orchestral repertoire, encompassing works from Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov to those of Bernstein and Stravinsky.

Dr. Smith is an accomplished author, composer, arranger, and clinician, and also enjoys a teaching career that includes both university and public school experience. Dr. Smith is proud to be a Yamaha Performing Artist and is also affiliated with the Percussive Arts Society, Black Swamp Percussion, D’addario & Company, Innovative Percussion, The College Music Society, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Kappa, Kappa Kappa Psi (honorary,) Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (honorary,) TRI-M MUSIC National Honor Society, and a four-time honoree of WHO’S WHO Among America’s Teachers.

When not making music or teaching, Josh enjoys taking kickboxing classes, working as an amateur beekeeper, and spending quality time with his wife and two children. The Smith family is currently working towards their family goal of hiking the highest point (highest point above sea level) in all 50 states and Washington D.C. Since beginning this project in 2013, they have reached the summit in 27 states.

2013
#1  Mississippi – Woodall Mountain
#2  Louisiana – Driskill Mountain

2014
#3  Ohio – Campbell Hill
#4  Indiana – Hoosier Hill
#5  Missouri – Taum Sauk Mountain

2015
#6  Alabama – Cheaha Mountain
#7  Georgia – Brasstown Bald
#8  South Carolina – Sassafras Mountain
#9  North Carolina – Mount Mitchell
#10 Tennessee – Clingmans Dome
#11 Arkansas – Mount Magazine

2016
#12 Florida – Britton Hill

2017
#13 West Virginia – Spruce Knob
#14 Maryland – Backbone Mountain/Hoye-Crest
#15 Pennsylvania – Mount Davis
#16 Delaware – Ebright Azimuth
#17 Kentucky – Black Mountain

2019
#18 Iowa – Hawkeye Point
#19 South Dakota – Black Elk Peak/Harney Peak
#20 North Dakota – White Butte
#21 Nebraska – Panorama Point
#22 Kansas – Mount Sunflower

2020
#23 Virginia – Mount Rogers

2021
#24 Michigan – Mount Arvon
#25 Minnesota – Eagle Mountain
#26 Wisconsin – Timm’s Hill
#27 Illinois – Charles Mound