Mr. Smithiger currently serves as Director of Percussion and Assistant Director of Bands. His duties include teaching applied percussion, percussion ensemble, marching percussion, and percussion methods. He also assists with the Marching Bearcat Band and the Pep bands.

Prior to this appointment, he served as Director of Athletic Bands, Lecturer of Percussion, and Assistant Director of Bands at Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas, from 2004 – 2007. He has been an active adjudicator, recruiter, and performer in Texas, Nevada, Arkansas, and Arizona.

Earning degrees at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University, Mr. Smithiger is a member of the Percussive Arts Society, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, Texas Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi (honorary), and Tau Beta Sigma (honorary). 

He is currently active as a clinician and educator around the state of Illinois and Missouri. He has toured with the McKendree University Percussion Ensemble throughout Illinois, he judges, presents masterclasses and clinics throughout the region, and was a featured clinician at the Illinois “Day of Percussion” in May. He is currently endorsed by Sabian cymbals, and has initiated an ‘Educator Series’ of articles with the Black Swamp Percussion Educator Network.