Victoria Stafford Online Editor Randy Smith, Logan High’s beloved longtime choral director, has shown consistent dedication and care towards the LHS fine arts department and every one of his students. Inhabiting the unique positions of ‘educator’ and ‘artist’ simultaneously, Smith has strived to cultivate an environment of open expression and creativity in his classroom while instilling into his students a strong work ethic and respect for music of all styles. His sheer dedication to the program is nothing less than admirable and inspiring. “I should be going to Sky View, because I live in that district,” junior Nalani Matthias, member of Crimson Colony, confessed. “But I came to Logan just to take choir from Randy, because I saw how amazing he was as a director.” Smith makes a point to create a diverse repertoire for all of his choirs as a means to expose students to new styles, anything from baroque to soul singing. Not only do students develop a greater respect for each style, but students come out of Smith’s instruction as better performers armed with a more versatile range of techniques. Additionally, Smith emphasizes not just the technical aspects of the music, but the raw emotion behind each note. Students are taught to sing with purpose and passion. "[Randy] has taught me more about life than he's taught me about music. He has an interest and love for his students, and that's what makes him a successful teacher." “[Randy] teaches us that good things happen to us, because we learn to feel the music, not just sing it,” senior Amanda Esplin, member of Chauntaires, said. “He isn’t just a teacher to me; he is a life-changing influence. Thanks to the three and ongoing for years, he and his music has touched my heart.”
Throughout his time here at Logan High, Smith has instructed award-winning choirs, recognized at both the state and national level. Because of Smith, the choir program has had the opportunity to compete and perform at various venues from the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Hawaii to the Big Apple’s own Carnegie Hall. Additionally, Smith has organized annual choir performances open to the Cache Valley public free of charge. Undoubtedly, Smith has developed a very strong program here at Logan High. But Smith’s lessons go beyond the pages of the music, as senior Alex Lambert, member of Crimson Colony, points out. “Randall J. is one of my best friends at Logan High School. He has taught me more about life than he’s taught me about music,” Lambert said. “He has an interest and love for his students, and that’s what makes him a successful teacher. Randy loves what he does, and you can tell. He demands the best from his students, because he sees in them what they don’t see in themselves. His love for music is contagious, and he has the ability to uncover the deeper meaning of a piece and convey that to his students. I love Randy. He’s just enjoyable to be around.”
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July 2017
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