Philip Smith

Biography

Philip Smith, Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, has been with the orchestra since October 1978, when he was appointed as Co-Principal Trumpet by Zubin Mehta. His early training on the cornet was under the tutelage of his father, Derek Smith, himself a renowned cornet soloist. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School, having studied with Edward Treutel and William Vacchiano. While still at Juilliard, Mr. Smith was appointed to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by Sir Georg Solti, in January 1975.
Mr. Smith regularly appears as soloist, recitalist and clinician. He has performed as soloist with the New York Philharmonic on numerous occasions, and has also appeared with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony, Newfoundland Symphony, Columbus (Indiana) Symphony, Pensacola (Florida) Symphony, Hartford (Connecticut) Symphony, and Beaumont (Texas) Symphony.
Mr. Smith has also appeared with many symphonic wind ensembles, including the United States President’s Own Marine Band, La Philharmonie des Vents des Quebec, Hanover Wind Symphony, Ridgewood Concert Band, and many major university wind ensembles.
An avid brass band enthusiast, Mr. Smith has been guest soloist with the United States Army Brass Band, Goteborg Brass (Sweden), Black Dyke Mills and Ridged Containers Bands (Britain), Hannaford Street Silver Band and Intrada Brass (Canada), and numerous American and Salvation Army Brass Bands.
Mr. Smith has been on the faculty of The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, and has appeared as recitalist and clinician at Caramoor International Music Festival, Grand Teton Music Festival, Swiss Brass Week, Bremen (Germany) Trumpet Days, Oslo (Norway) Trumpet Week, Harmony Ridge (Vermont) Festival, Scotia Festival of Music and numerous International Trumpet Guild conferences.
Mr. Smith enjoys performing with his Gospel ensemble, Resounding Praise, throughout North America.