Sweet Harmony
Love of music inspires Jordan Randall Smith to spread the joy. By Lisa Simeone
“ Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast.” The words of William Congreve, often quoted and more often misquoted, still resonate 300 years after they were written, because people still respond to music. They’ re often passionate about it. So passionate, they’ ll even travel long distances and pay lots of money to hear it.
It’ s that passion that Jordan Smith hopes
NAME: Jordan Randall Smith
INNOVATION: Bringing classical music concerts to underserved populations
AGE: 34 HOME: Mt. Vernon
OCCUPATION: Orchestra Conductor, PhD candidate at Peabody Conservatory
HOBBIES: Running, reading, checking out breweries, listening to expert talks on YouTube
FUN FACT: Had an epiphany about symphonic music while marching in his high school band’ s drumline
TWITTER HANDLE: @ symphno1 to ignite in audiences in West Baltimore with free concerts by his ensemble, Symphony Number One. Smith is the Founder and Music Director of this chamber orchestra, which has drawn musicians not only from the Peabody Conservatory, where Smith is a PhD candidate, but from across the country.
Classical music has long borne a reputation as an art form enjoyed only by wealthy, white audiences. Smith believes that reputation is outdated. For one thing, you’ ll see plenty of black and brown faces in Symphony Number One. For another, the excitement of a live concert, with musicians close enough to touch, is, Smith says, a draw in and of itself.
“ I believe there’ s a hunger for this kind of experience,” he says.“ Our hope is that whatever we do, an audience looks forward to our arrival.” That arrival might be in a homeless shelter, a rec center, or a public park. Smith is partnering with organizations such as Coppin and Morgan State Universities and Innovation Village to identify appropriate venues.
When it comes to classical music, Smith pg. 25