Newton High School
features the dynamic
SOUND FACTORY Marching Band
in the fall and the excellent concert & symphonic bands in the spring.

Director of Bands
Jason A. Smith
smith.jason@newton.k12.ga.us

Jason A. Smith is currently the Director of Bands at Newton High School.  A native of New Orleans, LA, Mr. Smith came to Georgia at the age of nine and has lived in the Metro-Atlanta area ever since.  He is a product of the Dekalb County School System, having graduated from Redan High School in 2000.  Mr. Smith received his Bachelors of Arts and Masters in Teaching degrees in Music Education from Hampton University.  While there, he studied closely under the late Barney E. Smart. 

While at Hampton University, Mr. Smith performed with many of the University Band ensembles, including the Marching F.O.R.C.E., Symphonic Winds, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band and Brass Ensemble.  During his tenure, he served as Trumpet Section Leader (2001, 2003) and Alumni Secretary for the Pi Beta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity. 

Mr. Smith was most recently employed by the Dekalb County School System at Stephenson High School.  At Stephenson High, Mr. Smith served as Assistant Director of Bands from 2005-2009.  His responsibilities included conducting the SHS Symphonic Band.  In four years, the Symphonic Band received overall ratings of Superior (2006), Excellent (2007), Excellent (2008) and most recently ALL Superior in 2009 at the GMAE Large Group Performance Evaluation.  The top performing ensemble, the SHS Wind Ensemble has also received ALL Superiors during his four years at Stephenson.  They have performed at the National Adjudicators Invitational Grand National Championship (2006) and the Dixie Classic Festival National Adjudicators Invitational Grand National Championship (2009) receiving overall Superior Ratings.  Also while at Stephenson, the marching “SONIC SOUND” has participated in many national events including the 2005 Tyson Battle of the Bands (Grand Champions, Memphis, TN), 2005 Bands of America Grand National Championship (Indianapolis, IN), 2007 National Memorial Day Parade (Washington, DC), and 2007 MACY’S Thanksgiving Day Parade (New York, NY).  Mr. Smith has been a vital part to their recent success. 

Mr. Smith’s personal teaching philosophy is “Every child has the ability to learn.  It is up the educator to realize that every child learns differently and he/she must do everything they can t ensure that every child meets their full potential.”

This web site has been created and maintained by Pam Jeffries and is updated frequently. Please email me with any questions or comments you may have concerning this site.

© 2005 Newton County Schools
Last Update on: 07/25/2010