Alfons Smukala is a new resident of Vero Beach, having retired from 33
years of teaching middle school instrumental music in New York State.
He currently is an adjunct clarinet and saxophone instructor at Indian
River Community College in Fort Pierce, FL and Brevard Community College
in Melbourne, FL..
A native of New Jersey, Al was most fortunate to study clarinet and saxophone with Jerry Nowak and Bill Holcombe during his high school years.
Al received the BM degree in Music Education and the MM degree
in clarinet performance from the School of Music at SUNY Fredonia.
Versatility is Al's strong point, having performed with the following ensembles: Utica (NY) Symphony, Putnam Symphony, Stanwix Wind Quintet, Orange County Music Educators Wind Ensemble, Bard College Conductors Symposium Orchestra, Newburgh (NY) Symphony, Classic Choral Society Orchestra, New York Swing Exchange (tenor sax), Winslow Three and Key Change (both on tenor, soprano sax, flute, and clarinet), well over twenty pit orchestras for as many high school musicals in New York. There were even those earlier years with various polka bands.
A most memorable performance was with the Classic Choral Society, in
New York City at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, where Al performed
the oboe solo (on soprano sax) in "The Lord Is My Shepherd"
from the Requiem by John Rutter, for the ordination of a very close friend.
This performance was just a few weeks prior to moving to Florida in June
2005.