Biographical Details

Resident in the NT since 1986, I was National President of the Australian Society for Music Education from 2001 through 2003, President of the Northern Territory Institute for Educational Research and, until my retirement from the Northern Territory Department of Education, State Music-In-Schools Adviser. This regularly took me between urban, rural and remote education settings across the Northern Territory. During these years I initiated and refined the nationally acclaimed 'Boys' Business' project.

I have over forty years of successful international experience in diverse learning settings. These include time working in Polynesian schools in New Zealand and the Pacific, in Tanzania, East Africa, in Mexico, with Metis and Inuit children in Canada and, more recently, as international music education consultant in Fiji and Sri Lanka. Across 2004 and 2005 I took a major role as researcher and writer in the Australian Federal Government’s National Review of Music in Schools.

I enjoy performing as a 'bel canto' trained operatic tenor, and a classical and jazz pianist. I compose and arrange music. I've directed adult and children's choirs, concert and stage bands and orchestras, and produced musicals and operas. I've also performed in gamelan and angklung ensembles, and in Indian classical ensembles.

My 1998 Doctoral Research Focus examined 'Indigenous Australian Music and Dance in West-centrically Oriented Primary Classrooms'.

What Others Say

Superintendent Secondary, NT
'Bob Smith is an outstanding practitioner... he is brilliant. Children love him - he has excellent communication with children and adults, both of whom are made to feel successful. He doesn't just concentrate on those who have talent or skill in music. Everyone is involved.'

Aboriginal Student Support Team, Catholic Ed, Western Australia.
''Thank you very much for sharing yourself, your expertise, your knowledge, your vast experience, your skills and your talent with us . Please let us know if you are ever coming back to Perth so that we can do it again'.

Alice Springs School of the Air Home Tutors' Conference
''Bob Smith has a million ideas for making music fun, even if you feel you have very limited skills'.

The Silkwood Steiner School; Gold Coast
''Bob's talents, wisdom and sense of humanity was very much appreciated and we hope he may visit next time he's holidaying on the Gold Coast'.

Teachers in an Arnhem Land remote school. NT
''Bob's workshops demonstrated that music is also about fun and performance without emotional trauma on behalf of both teachers and kids!' 'It was inspiring to see my students involved, actively participating in and thoroughly enjoying the music sessions. It was fun for all including the teacher

Gifted Unit Teacher, Darwin, NT
''I am more confident to tackle music topics and more relaxed, allowing the children to experiment with their own ideas, notation and performances rather than just have sing-alongs and the like'.

Music Coordinator, Alice Springs, NT
''It was an inspiration to see two of our upper primary classes enjoying and participating in music activities'.

Year 3 Teacher, Palmerston, NT,
''Taking part (in Bob's 'chalk-face' workshops) has encouraged me to reflect on my own practice. My students have learnt more not only about other people but also about themselves.'

Updated: September 2008