Born in Ft. Riley, Kansas, Bill Schmid was raised in Huber Heights, Ohio and learned to play the trumpet from his father. He received a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Dayton; he then earned a master’s degree in music education (jazz pedagogy) and a doctorate in trumpet performance - both from the University of North Texas. During his five years in Texas, his professional playing encompassed classical, jazz and commercial performances in the Dallas/Fort Worth region. Before coming to Georgia Southern University (Statesboro, Georgia) in 1986, Dr. Schmid taught for two years at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia (Canada). He is currently an Associate Professor of Music at GSU and, in addition to teaching trumpet, is the Director of Jazz Studies. Schmid also performs regularly with the Savannah Jazz Orchestra and other groups in the Savannah/Hilton Head area. His big band and combo works have been performed throughout Georgia, including premieres by the Georgia Directors Big Band and at the Savannah Jazz Festival by the SJO. Schmid has also received the following commissions: by the Arden Duo (soprano voice and alto saxophone) - a song set based upon poems by the contemporary poet Joyce Sutphen; by the Georgia Baptist Convention ñ settings of six hymns for brass quintet, timpani, organ and congregation; and, by St. Matthew Catholic Church (Statesboro, Georgia) ñ settings of 10 hymns for brass quartet, timpani, organ and congregation. Additionally, he has written an interpretation of the plainchant Pange Lingua for saxophone octet. He and his wife Alice - also a trumpet player - have three daughters: Audrey, Laura and Melanie (trumpet, oboe and French horn).