Our Directors
Dr. Brian D. Nichols, a clarinetist, is now in his 20th year at Smitha Middle School and his 36th year as a music educator. Prior to his appointment at Smitha Middle School, Dr. Nichols served for 15 years in the Orange County (Florida) Public School system, most recently as the Director of Bands at Freedom High School in Orlando. He also served the band programs at Dr. Phillips High School, Westridge Middle School and Hunter’s Creek Middle School. Before joining the Orange County Schools, Dr. Nichols led the band program at New Smyrna Beach Middle School in Volusia County, Florida. Dr. Nichols has served as a clinician for bands in Florida and Georgia, and has presented guest lectures in music education at the University of Central Florida. In 2003, the Wind Ensemble from Hunter's Creek performed at the Florida Music Educators Association Clinic and Conference in Tampa.
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Dr. Nichols holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, a Master of Music degree in Wind/Band Conducting from the University of South Florida in Tampa, and a Doctor of Education degree in Teacher Leader for Learning: Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University. He is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society; an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma, National Band Sorority; a member of The National Association for Music Education and the Georgia Music Educators Association.
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Morgan Fargo is in her 7th year as Associate Band Director at Smitha Middle School and her 15th year as a music educator.  Prior to her appointment at Smitha Middle School, Ms. Fargo taught in the Alief Independent School District in Houston Texas at Owens Intermediate School and Killough Middle School.
Ms. Fargo holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance from Florida State University, as well as a Master of Music from the University of Florida. She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity for women. Ms. Fargo currently performs with the Tara Winds Symphonic Band and Tara Winds Clarinet Choir in Atlanta.
Our History
Smitha Middle School, named after Cobb County Principal William O. Smitha, opened in 1993.
We've been fortunate to have a number of outstanding band directors in our 30 year history.
We appreciate these individuals who have served as our band directors.
1993-1994: Roddy White
1994-1995: Barbara Baker
1995-1996: Barbara Baker and Mark Pulley
1996-1997: Barbara Baker and Dr. Christine Ford
1997-2000: Dr. Christine Ford and Chad Davenport
2000-2002: Dr. Christine Ford and Bob Loehr
2002-2003: Jill Barnocki and Summer Sams
2003-2005: Jill Barnocki and Andrea Swartzell
2005-2009: Dr. Brian Nichols and Andrea Swartzell
2009-2018: Dr. Brian Nichols and Laura Estes
2018-present: Dr. Brian Nichols and Morgan Fargo