By: Haley S.R. No. 1210
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
1-3 recognize Emmet G. Smith, a Harold D. and Imogene Herndon Professor
1-4 of Music at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas; and
1-5 WHEREAS, An outstanding professor of organ in the
1-6 department of music and judged by many as the world's greatest
1-7 organ instructor, Emmet Smith began his exceptional career at
1-8 Texas Christian University in 1951 where he has taught for over
1-9 40 years; and
1-10 WHEREAS, After receiving his master's degree in music at
1-11 Texas Christian University in 1954, Emmet Smith continued his music
1-12 studies at the famed National Conservatory of Music in Paris,
1-13 France, where he was a Fulbright Scholar and attended the Union
1-14 Theological Seminary in New York; he was chosen as a postgraduate to
1-15 study organ with Dr. Mario Salvador in Saint Louis, Missouri, and
1-16 with Jean-Albert Villard at the Cathedral of Poitiers, in France; and
1-17 WHEREAS, During his years as an organ professor at
1-18 Texas Christian University, Mr. Smith has produced some of the most
1-19 talented organists in the country and has had 13 of his students
1-20 honored as Fulbright Scholars, more than any other professor in any
1-21 discipline in the United States; and
1-22 WHEREAS, A remarkably talented organist and instructor,
1-23 Mr. Smith has concertized throughout the United States and Europe
2-1 and directed organ study tours in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s; and
2-2 WHEREAS, For his superior skills on the organ, Mr. Smith
2-3 has received numerous honors; he is a member of the American Guild
2-4 of Organists and was selected to represent the United States as the
2-5 opening recitalist at the Kreuzberg Organ Festival in Bonn in 1980;
2-6 and
2-7 WHEREAS, He was named a Texas Christian University Honors
2-8 Professor in 1973 and the Herndon Professor of Music in 1984; he
2-9 also received the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Teaching in
2-10 1984 and was named the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor of Music in
2-11 1974; and
2-12 WHEREAS, In 1976 and in 1988, Professor Smith's
2-13 Texas Christian University organ students competed successfully
2-14 in auditions to enter the Chartres International Organ Competition
2-15 in France; he has had two organ students admitted on full
2-16 scholarships to the world famous Curtis Institute of Music in
2-17 Philadelphia, and he received the President's Award for Outstanding
2-18 Contributions to Gifted and Talented Students in November of 1991;
2-19 and
2-20 WHEREAS, A professor who throughout his life has manifested
2-21 deep loyalty and generosity towards his students, Emmet Smith is
2-22 known as a task-master deluxe--tough, protective, and demanding; and
2-23 WHEREAS, He has a compelling concern for his former students
2-24 who affectionately call him "Mr. Smith"; over 75 of his talented
2-25 former pupils returned to the Texas Christian University campus in
3-1 1991 in tribute to his 40 years of superb instruction and his much
3-2 cherished and faithful friendship; and
3-3 WHEREAS, A masterful musician and exemplary gentleman,
3-4 Emmet Smith is beloved by his students, former students, colleagues,
3-5 and music appreciators across the country; the State of Texas is
3-6 honored to have among its citizens such a rare and gifted artist
3-7 and distinguished professor; now, therefore, be it
3-8 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-9 73rd Legislature, hereby commend Emmet Smith for his invaluable
3-10 contributions to Texas Christian University and to musicians and
3-11 organ students throughout the world who have been influenced by
3-12 his work; and, be it further
3-13 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-14 him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
3-15 _____________________________________
3-16 President of the Senate
3-17 I hereby certify that the
3-18 above Resolution was adopted by
3-19 the Senate on May 31, 1993.
3-20 _____________________________________
3-21 Secretary of the Senate
3-22 _____________________________________
3-23 Member, Texas Senate