Cory Schmitt
Assistant Professor & Associate Director of Bands & Dir. of Athletic Bands
Music
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Contact
- schmittc@apsu.edu
- 931-221-6284
- Room
“The Austin Peay community is full of wonderful people who collectively strive for excellence in their disciplines while fostering meaning relationships.”What excites you most about being part of the Austin Peay community?
DMA in Wind Conducting, University of Iowa, '25
MA in Wind Conducting & Trumpet Performance, University of Northern Iowa, '14
BM in Music Education, James Madison University, '12
Dr. M. Cory Schmitt serves as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Austin Peay State University. As leader of the athletic band program, he directs the Governors Own Marching Band, Pep Band, and Go Band. He also conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches courses in marching band techniques and secondary instrumental music methods.
Originally from Roanoke, Virginia, Dr. Schmitt earned his Bachelor of Music Education
degree in 2012 from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. While at JMU, he
played trumpet and cornet in numerous ensembles, and was also the Drum Major for the
450-member Marching Royal Dukes.
In 2014, he earned his Masters Degree in Wind Band Conducting and Trumpet Performance
from the University of Northern Iowa, where he conducted the UNI Pep Band and UNI
Concert Band. He also performed with the award-winning UNI Jazz Band One, and traveled
internationally on tour to Thailand.
In 2014, Dr. Schmitt began an eight-year career as the Director of Bands at Forest
City High School and Middle School. He taught grades 6-12, conducted four different
bands, and had over 200 students in his program. His ensembles earned numerous Division
I superior ratings and first place finishes at state-level contests and festivals.
In 2017, Schmitt joined the music staff at Waldorf University, where he assumed the
role of Director of Wind Symphony as well as Adjunct Professor of Music.
Dr. Schmitt holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting degree from the University of Iowa, where he served as Teaching Assistant for the University of Iowa bands under the award of the Myron Welch Fellowship. His Hawkeye Marching Band halftime show designs (a Caitlin Clark tribute) were featured on the Pat McAfee show on ESPN. At Iowa, Schmitt was also the Director of the New Horizons Band, an ensemble designed for retired individuals. His primary conducting teachers include Stephen Bolstad, Scott Rikkers, Danny Galyen, Ronald Johnson, and Mark Heidel.
As a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, Dr. Schmitt maintains an active agenda of interacting with students and musicians of all ages. He is also an avid performer, having guest performed with notable artists such as The Temptations, The Beach Boys, Kansas, and Lake Street Dive. Dr. Schmitt is a member of CBDNA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, and an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma.
Cory is happily married to his wife Teresa, and is the proud father of Edward, Charlotte,
and William.