James (Jimmy) Smith Trumpet Collection

James (Jimmy) Smith played with the New York Symphony for 35 years.  He was 4th trumpet under principal William Vacchiano for most of his career. 

Here is a collection of his horns.

James Smith

James Smith, 88, a trumpet player who retired in 1977 after 35 years with the New York Philharmonic, died on April 24. He had joined Local 802 in 1934.

As a student at De Witt Clinton High School, he entered the citywide Music Week Contest and won first prize, the...

James (Jimmy) Smith played with the New York Symphony for 35 years.  He was 4th trumpet under principal William Vacchiano for most of his career. 

Here is a collection of his horns.

James Smith

James Smith, 88, a trumpet player who retired in 1977 after 35 years with the New York Philharmonic, died on April 24. He had joined Local 802 in 1934.

As a student at De Witt Clinton High School, he entered the citywide Music Week Contest and won first prize, the Gold Medal Award. He then entered the Juilliard School on a scholarship, studying with two Philharmonic violinists, Max Schlossberg and Harry Glantz. Mr. Smith joined the National Orchestra Association under Leon Barzin while at Juilliard and, after receiving diplomas from both institutions, launched a professional career in musical theatre, on radio, at the World’s Fair and with ballet and opera companies.

In the late 1930s he played with the CBS Symphony and Andre Kostelanetz’s orchestra, and in the early 1940s with the New Friends of Music under Stiedry, the New Opera Company under Busch, Adler and Dorati, and the NBC Symphony under Toscanini. In 1942 he joined the New York Philharmonic. He retired as third trumpet in 1977. Mr. Smith’s concurrent teaching career included faculty assignments at Juilliard, Hofstra University, Teachers College at Columbia, New York University, the New York College of Music, Mannes College and the 92nd Street “Y” Music School.

He is survived by his wife Sophie, children Sky, Brook, Bonnie and Adrienne, stepsons Steve and Ken Atkatz, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

SMITH-James. The PhilharmonicSymphony Society of New York, Inc., notes with sadness the death of James Smith, who joined the Philharmonic in 1942 and retired from the Orchestra as Third Trumpet in 1977. Prior to becoming a member of the Philharmonic, he studied at the Juilliard School and performed with the CBS Symphony, Ballet Russe, New Opera Company, and the NBC Symphony under Toscanini. A particularly meaningful collaboration was his work with underprivileged children at the 92nd Street YM-YWHA Music School, in addition to his teaching at the Juilliard School. We extend our sincere condolences to his entire family. Kurt Masur, Music Director Members of the Orchestra Paul B. Guenther, Chairman William Thomas, Acting Executive Director

1975-1976........Gerard Schwarz.........Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith 
1974-1975........Gerard Schwarz.........Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1973-1974........Gerard Schwarz.........Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1972-1973........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1971-1972........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1970-1971........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1969-1970........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1968-1969........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1967-1968........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1966-1967........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1965-1966........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1964-1965........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1963-1964........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1962-1963........William Vacchiano.......Carmine Fornarotto........John Ware..................James Smith
1961-1962........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1960-1961........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1959-1960........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1958-1959........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1957-1958........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1956-1957........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1955-1956........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1954-1955........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1953-1954........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1952-1953........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1951-1952........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1950-1951........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1949-1950........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1948-1949........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................John Ware..................James Smith 
1947-1948........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................Morris Boltuch.............James Smith 
1946-1947........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................Morris Boltuch.............James Smith 
1945-1946........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................Morris Boltuch.............James Smith
1944-1945........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................Morris Boltuch.............James Smith
1943-1944........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................Morris Boltuch.............James Smith
1942-1943........William Vacchiano.......Nathan Prager................James Smith...............Vacant