A Brief Biography of Joe Smiell
(November 1925 -- January 2012)The Joe Smiell method of button box music instruction is grounded in classical roots utilizing normal musical notation, including articulation, phrasing and dynamics. The instructional method, original musical pieces and arrangements were developed by Joe Smiell Sr. and his son Joseph Smiell Jr., both conservatory trained musicians and classical performers. This background and approach toward button box playing brings out the full musical potential of the instrument. Joe Smiell's biography begins to explain the development of this method which the Music Camp continues to offer.
Overview
Performance Experience
Stage Shows
College Performances
Other Performance Experience
Overview
- A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory (Johns Hopkins University)
- A recognized virtuoso soloist on the Austrian Button Box
- Performed throughout the United States and Europe including numerous original compositions and arrangements
- Writes and performs all styles of music from the Balkans to the Baltics and from France to Russia.
- Most notable among his accomplishments is the development of an instruction method for beginning through advanced Button Box players.
- Teaching techniques and methodology have been endorsed and recognized by native Austrian and German teachers because of its clarity, emphasis on proper fingering, articulation, phrasing, musicianship, and ensemble playing.
- A broad range of performing experience including tours of the United States, Germany, Canada, Korea, Japan, and the Bahamas. These performances have encompassed formal concert halls, stage shows, theaters, college campuses, and special events.
- Mr. Smiell founded and led the Joe Smiell band of 25 professional musicians which has been active throughout California for over 30 years.
A Sampling of his Performance Experience Includes:
- Symphonies, Operas, Ballets, and Dance Companies: Performances with the San Francisco, Calgary, Edmonton, Oakland, Miami, Baltimore, Berkeley, Marin, Monterrey, and California Symphonies.
- Performances with the San Francisco, Berkeley, and Novato Opera Companies. Performed with the Chicago Ballet, Khadra Character Ballet of San Francisco, Massenkov Folk Festival, and the Perfiloff Dancers.
- Movies, Television, and Radio: Appeared in and performed music for "A Christmas Without Snow" for an ABC network movie production, appeared in Coppolla's "Heart of Darkness," performed music for Warner Brother's "Battle of the Bulge," featured on national television during Shrine East West Game, appeared on German television with a Choir Concert Tour, and numerous appearances on local television and radio shows.
Stage Shows:
- Orchestra member for Arthur Miller's "View from the Bridge," and "Fiddler on the Roof' (with original cast)
- A Bob Hope tour
- Ethnic Performances: Performances with the Von Konsky Dancers, Khadra Character Ballet; Massenkov Folk Ensemble; Neva Dance Ensemble, Perfilloff Dancers, Deutsche Mannerchor, Center for World Music and other ethnic groups in the United States.
College Performances:
- Mr. Smiell performed at Ohio State, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Tangelwood Music Camp, Anguin, Texas A&M, University of Florida at Tallahassee, University of the Bahamas, and others.
Other Performance Experience:
- Mr. Smiell also participated in special performance for the Monterrey Jazz Festival, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, numerous musician's union trust fund concerts, a performance for the President of Austria, and a performance for the chancellor of Bavaria.