Carson Smejkal

Carson Smejkal is a senior trumpet player at Edwardsville High School and will be joining the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra for the first time this year. He has been playing the trumpet for eight years, all with the Edwardsville school district. It all started with Carson’s mom, who inspired him to become a musician and get invested in the arts. Carson studies with Matthew Bittles, with whom he has taken lessons for five years. Carson has been selected for a number of honors ensembles including ILMEA All-District, St. Louis Wind Symphony, and has received the role of principal player at the Bi-State Honors band festival. Throughout his high school career, Carson has made the top ensemble at EHS every year, and has been the soloist in the Edwardsville Marching Tigers 2022 and 2023 programs.

Outside of trumpet playing, Carson enjoys record collecting, playing guitar, and listening to his favorite bands. In school, he is a member of National Honors Society, Thespian Troupe 1534, and is the Band Representative for the Tri-M Music Honors Society.

Carson would like to thank Matt Bittles for his years of knowledge and mentorship, his band directors Ryan Lipscomb and Dean Anderson for constantly pushing and encouraging him towards his goals, and his friends and fellow trumpet players for believing in him not just in music, but also in life. He would also like to thank his parents for sparking his love for music and for their overwhelming support.