From a Glassmen press release: Acclaimed composer and brass arranger Robert W. Smith has been hired to arrange for the Glassmen for the 2004 season. Brian Hickman, executive director of the Glassmen, said, "Robert is a true professional, and over the years has had a positive and lasting impact on many of the leading instructors, judges and fans in this activity. I am so very excited about the great things he will bring to the table for the young men and women of the Glassmen, and the possibilities for 2004." Though many in the activity may remember him from his years of service with Suncoast Sound in the 1980s, Smith is also a popular and prolific orchestral and concert band composer. He has hundreds of publications in print, and has recently released the second in a series of CD recordings of his best-known works. His compositions and arrangements have appeared at events ranging from presidential inauguration ceremonies to opening day at Dodger Stadium to the Olympic Games, along with receiving extensive airplay on major network television. Smith's original pieces for winds and percussion, as well as his numerous and popular orchestral works, have been programmed by a variety of groups throughout the United States and around the world, including the United States Navy Band and the Atlanta Symphony. Smith is also heavily involved with his latest project, as the co-creator of the Expressions Music Curriculum, a pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade music program written for school systems worldwide. Smith will be writing for the Glassmen in collaboration with Patrick Roszell. Their association began as Patrick pursued his masters degree in music at Troy State University (Alabama) under the direction of Smith. "I have always wanted to be able to work with the Suncoast team again," says long-time drum corps brass staff member Frank Williams, "and now Robert and I will be together again at last with the team at the Glassmen. The young genius who gave drum corps fans those magical arrangements through the legendary Suncoast brass lines will once again be teaming up with the tech who helped to train the players and clean the music." Williams is now entering his eighth year with the Glassmen brass staff. "I am stepping up again," he says, "as this is a dream come true!"