Spartan Profiles: Williams and Smith

TOP AIR FORCE TROMBONISTS

            In an unusual coincidence, both the principal trombonist and the principal second trombonist for the U.S. Air Force Concert Band--a world-class 65-member symphonic wind ensemble--are MSU graduates. Senior master sargeants Mark R. Williams, '83, and Lindsey W. Smith, '80, both earned MSU bachelor's degrees in trombone performance. Now they've teamed up at the Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C., and travel the world giving more than 100 concerts a year.

            'It's really coincidental.' says Smith, of Herndon, VA. 'We first met in 1975, then played together in my senior year in high school when the Okemos band recruited me (from Williamston).' 

            They teamed up again at MSU, where they played for the Spartan Marching Band, in a trombone choir, and in a quartet founded by their teacher Curtis Olson. 'MSU was a tremendous place,' says Williams, of Burke, VA. 'Olson really prepare people well for their careers. He's an incredible teaching talent for MSU.' 

            Lindsey echoes those sentiments, calling MSU 'a fantastic place to study music with some of the greatest faculty anywhere, from performance to music education to history.' 

            Lindsey cites Ken Bloomquist as a major reason for coming to MSU, while Mark cites Lindsey--who was three years ahead--for selling MSU's program. Now they tour the nation and the world. Mark says his highlight was performing at the Great Wall of China in 1987, while Lindsey recalls performing in Moscow's Red Square during the 50th anniversary of VE Day. 'Of course, all our performances at inaugurals are memorable as well,' he adds. 

            Their bread and butter are their national swings. Says Mark, 'We perform in towns of population 500 where 800 people show up at the gymnasium. We end our performances with patriotic songs, and veterans stand and are acknowledged. It's really emotional, but it drives home why we're out there.'