Larwrence Leighton Smith, former MD of the Oregon Symphony, passes

The Colorado Springs Gazette has reported that Lawrence Leighton Smith, who was the music director of the Oregon Symphony from 1973 to 1980, died on Friday, October 25th, in Colorado Springs. He was 77 years old. Smith was also the music director of the Sunriver Music Festival for 17 years. I had the pleasure of singing Beethoven's 9th Symphony during his final season with the Oregon Symphony. I was a member of the Portland Symphony Choir, and we sang the performances at Keller Auditorium (then known as the Portland Civic Auditorium).

Some musicians are adding their thoughts about Smith to a tribute page in Facebook.