Mike Smith
Lead Alto Saxophone
(Member since November 2006)

Mike Smith is a graduate of Port Arthur's Thomas Jefferson High School and received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Lamar University, and earned his Master's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Mike was a "sweepstakes" band director for many years, consistently winning top honors with bands at Nederland's C. O. Wilson Middle School, Liberty High School, Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Longview, and Lumberton High School. He has professional sales experience with Henco Fundraising and H&H Music in Houston. Mike has been an administrator in the Lumberton ISD for a decade now, and continues to lead that school to greatness.

Mike's professional experience includes the Jimmy Simmons Orchestra, the Dyess-Rogers Band, and he has backed such artists as the Four Tops, the Temptations, Al Hirt, Marvin Stamm, Bill Watrous, Joe Williams, Doc Severinson, and a host of others.

Monica Schmidt
Alto Saxophone, clarinet, & flute
(Member since February 2008)

Monica graduated from Nederland High School and is currently a pre-Med major at Lamar University. Her love of music was so strong that she entered college as a music major, but soon decided that the medical field was where she belonged -- following in her father's footsteps.

Monica was first call alto sax sub for several years before finally becoming a full-fledged member of NDO. She has served in leadership rolls in the Lamar Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, and was the lead alto of the award-winning Lamar Jazz Ensemble for 3 years.

Says Monica: "My passion for making music evolved from a hobby and extra-curricular activity into something I can't live without. I play first and foremost because to play music soothes my soul and puts a smile on my face. And I play to hopefully communicate a little bit of that to other people. No matter what happens to me or where I end up, music will always be an integral part of my life."

Bob Thomas
Lead Tenor, clarinet, & flute
(Member since December 2005)

Bob was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania in 1934. Interestingly, he played trumpet in high school from 1948 to 1952. When duty called during the Korean War, he somehow managed to play saxophone from 1953 to 1956 in the 298th Army Band while stationed in Berlin. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, Bob entered the prestigious jazz school in Denton and played lead (and solo) alto sax in the
North Texas One O'Clock Jazz Band from 1956 to 1960, earning a Bachelor of Music degree.

Following graduation, Bob taught band in Wylie, Texas, Anchorage, Alaska, and Killeen, Texas. He has also served as Director of the Music Department at Central Texas College in Killeen. Bob earned his Master of Arts at the University of South Florida where he also served as a teaching fellow on clarinet and saxophone. His professional musical career has included playing with the Anchorage Symphony and in the Tampa Philharmonic (saxophone and bass clarinet, respectively). He has recorded extensively in Dallas studios and was heard on hundreds of advertising jingles. He was a member of many territory bands out of Dallas as well as having played with the likes of Marvin Stamm, Dee Barton, Ted Weems, and Stan Kenton. Other professional playing experience includes sharing the stage with Eddy Arnold, Connie Francis, and Judy Garland.

Bob moved to Beaumont in 1981 and served as Director of Aviation at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport. He is also a licenced commercial airline pilot! Bob joined up with some of his North Texas schoolmates recently when he performed with Les Brown and His Band of Renown led by Les Brown Jr., in Branson, Missouri for their fall 2005 season.

TENOR POSITION OPEN
Doubling on clarinet and flute desired (but not required)
Rehearsals are Mondays 7:30 to 9:30 pm

NDO rehearses each Monday from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall in downtown Beaumont. We play professionally throughout the year, and were voted "Best Entertainment" in the 2007 Beaumont Enterprise Reader's Poll. Catholic Charities, Boys Haven, Lamar University's Le Grand Bal, and LU-llaby of Broadway are just a few of the civic events for which NDO has provided entertainment. We lend a real touch of class and just a bit of Hollywood to any wedding or special event.

If interested in becoming a member of NDO, please contact Dr. Wayne Dyess -- e-mail address: texastbone@gt.rr.com

Ken Snow
Baritone Saxophone
(Member since July 2008)

Ken is a graduate of Vidor High School and attended Lamar University prior to transferring to the University of Kentucky where he received his Bachelor of Music degree. While at UK, Ken performed in the top ensembles, including the award-winning and prestigious UK Jazz Ensemble (directed by Miles Osland), along with the highly acclaimed combo MegaSax. Ken has played with many national touring artists, including Tom Harrell, Doc Severinsen, Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Mel Torme and Diane Schuur, to name but a few. He has been a band director in the Bridge City Independent School District since coming back to Texas, and joined NDO in the summer of 2008.

COPYRIGHT ©2006 by Night & Day Orchestra, Beaumont, TX


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