Remembering
David Smotzer
April 8, 1960 - May 12, 2023

From his bio...

David Smotzer is a 30 year member of Barbershop Harmony Society.  He began his Barbershop career at the age of thirteen and since then has held every major chorus office as well as earning more than ten international top five medals as a Chours/ Quartet singer and director.  Dave is one of the few who has had the honor of directing choruses in both the Barbershop Harmony Society and Sweet Adelines at the International level competition.  He also holds the distinction of being the youngest chorus director at that time to medal directing at an International competition.

 

David has been front-line director with:  Southern Gateway Chorus, San Antonio Chordsman, Shenago Valley/ Penn-Ohio Chorus, City of Flags Region 17 Sweet Adelines and most recently, the Independence Chapter of the Barbership Harmony Society.

 

David majored in music education and political science at Bowling Green State University where he studied under the tutlege of the esteemed R.D. Mathey.  He was the 1981 recipent of the AIC College Scholarship.  In 1984, he won the International Gold Medal honors singing tenor with The Rapscallions.   He has served on the music staff for Apple Corps, Harmony College and SAI's Preserving Harmony program.  He has been honored at JAD Director of the Year, and is a member of the JAD Hall of Fame.  He most recently directed the "Men of Independence" to their first District Chorus Championship in April of 2010.

 

David continues to coach vocal production, interpretation, music and sound for BHS and SAI quartets and choruses.

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DAVID M. SMOTZER, age 63, passed away on May 12, 2023. Adoring father of Helen Becker Smotzer, cherished brother of Pamela Hobson (Nicholas, deceased), and uncle to many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly. Best buddy and loving dog dad to Samson.

 

From an early age, Dave was fiercely passionate about music. His life-long association with the Barbershop Harmony Society, formerly SPEBSQSA, began at the early age of 13 and developed into a remarkably successful and joyous career. Dave had the honor of directing choruses in the Barbershop Harmony Society, Sweet Adelines, and Harmony Incorporated including the Southern Gateway Chorus, San Antonio Chordsmen, Shenago Valley/ Penn-Ohio Chorus, City of Flags, Men of Independence, and Lake Ridge Legacy.

 

Dave studied music education at Bowling Green State University, where he met Tim Frye, David Wallace, and Jeff Oxley, and formed The Rapscallions. The Rapscallions went on to win the International Gold Medal honors in 1984 in St. Louis, Missouri. Beyond that honor, Dave earned more than ten international top-five medals as a chorus or quartet singer and director. He also held the distinction of being the youngest chorus director to medal at an International competition at the time.

 

Outside of music, Dave was the happiest on the water. He had a successful career as a marine rigger and would spend as much of his free time on his boat as possible. Dave was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow recipient for the work he did with The Rotary Club of Cleveland’s Project YESS (Youth Empowered to Succeed through Sailing) focusing on youth leadership training.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in memory of Dave to Lake Humane Society or the Wounded Warrior Project.

 

A Celebration of Life service is being planned for the summer, the season he most loved. Details will be added at a later date.

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