Harvey K. Smith
Artistic Director Emeritus

The knack for getting active young boys to explore and focus their musical abilities has been an increasing challenge with the passing of each generation. Few musicians have proven as tireless at sustaining a quality boychoir program as Dr. Harvey K. Smith did in his 40 years as artistic director and guiding voice of the world-renowned Phoenix Boys Choir.

A native Arizonan, Dr. Smith received his education at Occidental College, Master of Music at the University of Southern California, Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Arizona, and Honorary Doctor of Letters at Grand Canyon University.

Beginning in 1960, Dr. Smith’s vision and commitment to quality musicianship have guided the Phoenix Boys Choir from a single, 30-voice choir to a current membership of over 170 boys in five choirs. His pursuit of excellence has brought the Phoenix Boys Choir critical acclaim from audiences and journalists around the globe as well as a Grammy, awarded in 2001. Listeners in Europe, the Far East, Mexico, Canada, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and across the United States have enjoyed the choir’s splendid performances of varied repertoire. The choir has participated in numerous collaborative projects ranging from advertising soundtracks to solo performances with major musical institutions.

Dr. Smith taught music in the Madison and Phoenix Union school districts and at Phoenix College. He also served as choirmaster for several church congregations including Valley Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church of Phoenix. He has appeared as clinician for Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Musicamrose in Alberta, Canada, Taipei City Schools, and guest conductor in several states. He the 250 voice National Honor Boy Choir (ACDA, 1999) and served as Vice President for North America on the International Board of Directors of Les Petits Chanteurs du Monde.

Among Dr. Smith’s many honors, he received an "Outstanding Educator of America" award, a
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arizona chapter of the ACDA in 1998 and the 1999 Raymond G. Van Diest Arts Advocacy Award by the AMEA. He received the 1999 Governor’s Arts Award (Artist category), Arizona’s most prestigious honor. Grand Canyon University conferred on Dr. Smith an honorary Doctor of Letters degree and University of Arizona honored him as Outstanding Alumnus of 1999. Dr. Smith is featured in the 1999 edition of Faces of Arizona, in the company of the most outstanding Arizonan Artists.

Dr. Smith and his wife, Dorothy, continue working as clinicians, are avid scuba divers, and co-authors of the video teaching series Singing and Growing.