Alex H Smith
Biography
I'm Alex H Smith; a British percussionist specialising in marimba and tuned percussion. Currently based in Belgium, my work at present revolves around interstylistic and interdisciplinary collaboration, ranging from writing and performing music for poetry to making performance art with scientific research.
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Early Years
Originally from the Northern English city of Kingston upon Hull, my early experiences and foundational music education came thanks to the Hull Music Service. The council run service gave me the opportunity to learn percussion, drum kit, tenor horn, tuba and voice through individual lessons and through participation in their youth ensembles and orchestras.
At the age of 15 I joined the percussion section of my first Championship section brass band; the Barton Town band. This foray into competitive banding on a national level really captivated me, and gave me the push and the opportunity to take my playing to a higher level. A year later I joined the City of Hull brass band (formerly EYMS) with which I remained until I left Hull for university.
Between lessons and ensembles with the Hull Music service and the championship level banding, I was occupied with music every day of the week, which provided the catalyst in which I quickly developed.
I decided to continue to pursue this musical development in higher education, and chose to audition at the British conservatoires to begin my bachelor studies.
Higher Education
RNCM
2014 - 2018
Graduated: BMus (hons) 1st class (highest distinction)
Following a successful round of bachelor auditions, I accepted a place to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK.
There I studied with a team of world-class teachers:
Simone Rebello - Solo percussion, chamber music
Le Yu - Solo marimba
Liz Gilliver - Marimba and orchestral tuned percussion
Ian Wright - Timpani
Paul Patrick - Orchestral percussion
Andrea Vogler - music education and workshop skills
Dave Hassel - Drum kit and world percussion
My 4 years at the RNCM moulded me into the musician I now am, through a rigorous education and an intense schedule of weekly lessons and ensemble projects. Among the many projects and opportunities I received as a student are:
- Symphony Orchestra performances under the baton of Sir Mark Elder, Krzysztof Penderecki, Clark Rundell among others.
- Contemporary chamber music performances of music by Harrison Birtwistle, Tansey Davies and Mark Anthony Turnage at the Wigmore Hall, London and receiving coaching from said composers.
- Workshops and masterclasses with world-famous artists including Keiko Abe, Ney Rosauro, Colin Currie, Joby Burgess, Ivana Bilic, Evelyn Glennie and more.
- Percussion sextet tour of concert halls in China, culminating in winning first place in Shanghai International Percussion competition.
Alongside building my technical and musical skills, at the RNCM I learnt composition and arranging, music theory, history and philosophy of the arts, and many transferable organisational skills such as section leadership and equipment logistics.
KCA
I decided to continue my higher education in Europe, on the world leading specialist masters programme for solo marimba performance; the class of Ludwig Albert at the Koninklijke Conservatorium van Antwerpen.
Until this time, I had actively trained to be as versatile a percussionist as I could be; able to play as a soloist, in an orchestra section, as a pop drummer, a Latin percussionist and more. I believe having a wide and versatile base is essential for every percussionist.
However, for my master’s degree I felt ready to add a specialism to compliment my versatile foundation, and for that I chose the instrument with which I always felt the strongest musical connection; the marimba.
During my two years of study, I focussed on subtleties of sound production and musical expression, applying the method of movement pioneered by Professor Ludwig Albert to my own performance style.
These years helped me to refine my marimba practice and truly opened up my expressive powers on the instrument.
During my studies I continued to develop my versatile base, by taking classes in improvisation (tonal, atonal, ensemble and solo), aesthetics of art, composition, and contemporary music practice.
I wrote my master’s thesis on the topic of Cornelius Cardew's 'Treatise'; an epic book of graphic score from the 1960's. This took me on an interdisciplinary textural percussion adventure, including XR technologies, improvisation and performance art. Read more here.
2020 - 2022
Graduated: MA summa cum laude (highest distinction)
Professional Career
I have been performing and teaching on a professional level for close to 10 years, beginning alongside my bachelor studiesc, and continuing through to present day.
Brass Band
My first professional engagement was from 2014-2015 when I was appointed principle tuned percussionist with the Black Dyke brass band. During my year with the band they won the most prestigious prizes in top level banding; the British Open's, UK National Championships and the European Championships. Following this successful year, I decided to leave brass bands in order to focus on my solo and orchestral playing.
Orchestral
As an orchestral percussionist, I have worked on a freelance basis with many professional British and European orchestras, including; the Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra, Northern Film Orchestra, Jersey Chamber Orchestra, Montepulciano Festival orchestra, Szene 12 opera orchestra (Dresden), Buxton Opera Festival Orchestra, Manchester Video-game Orchestra, Scarborough Spa Orchestra among others.
Musical Theatre
In the UK, I also worked extensively as a musical theatre percussionist. This culminated in a run of performances at the Manchester Royal Exchange theatre in a new arrangement of Guys and Dolls (playing vibraphone and Latin percussion).
Solo
As a soloist, I have given many concerts in established recital series' across the UK, and appeared as a guest soloist with brass bands and orchestras. A particular highlight is performing solo marimba pieces during a sell-out concert hall tour of China with the RNCM Percussion Sextet. In February 2022 I also had the honour of premiering a new concerto 'Permafrost' by Professor Ludwig Albert.
Collaboration
My work at present largely revolves around interdisciplinary collaboration. My ensemble; the "Cusk Collective" explores links between ecological research and the arts, and is funded currently by the Flemish government. I also currently hold the position of composer and musical director for poet Sesa in the creation of her new performance. Alongside these permanent positions, I continue to work as a freelance soloist, orchestral musician and composer.
