Joseph T. Smith is the director emeritus for MTSU and TVW.

His first job was at Franklin County High School in Winchester, TN, followed by a couple of years at Newton County High School in Covington, GA. In 1959 he became the Marching Band Director and Assistant Concert Band Director at MTSU and in 1976 he became Director of Bands. He served a total of 36 years at MTSU, making a significant impact on music education in the Southeast. He was instrumental in establishing the nationally televised "Contest of Champions", the Southeastern Instrumental Clinics, the Tennessee Bandmasters State Concert Festival, the All-State Wind Ensemble Conference (now the Wind Band Conference), and the Tennessee Valley Winds Community Band.

He has been awarded six Citations of Excellence for his contributions to the profession by the National Band Association, both in marching and concert band. The Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Board bestowed on him the Medal of Honor for the performance by the Tennessee Valley Winds in Chicago, IL. Mr. Smith was featured in the School Musician for his contributions to bands in America and was selected as a national patron of Delta Omicron Music Fraternity. In 1985 he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of MTSU. He holds membership in various honorary fraternities and professional organizations.

As the conductor of the Tennessee Valley Winds, 1984-2000, he led the group in many outstanding perform-ances including Tennessee Music Educator's Conferences, Mid-West International Band Conference, MTSU Wind Band Conferences, and an exciting performance in London, England.

Joseph T. Smith taught his students to be the best at everything and never settle for mediocrity. He taught this through not only his musical talent, but also his strive for excellence at being a gifted photographer and master craftsman of furniture and boats. Everything he does, he does with quality in mind.

With TVW, he began a group for local musicians who no longer had an outlet to perform, a tradition the TVW strives to keep going in his honor.