Daniel Joseph Schmidt

Dr. Daniel Schmidt was an exceptional conductor having spent time as a passionate music
educator - teaching for over 30 years at all levels- elementary, middle and high school, and the
bulk of his career was to teach on the higher education faculties of Mars Hill College, Syracuse
University, and Northern Arizona University. 'Danny' was deeply respected by music education
leaders across the entire country.
“South Florida” was home for Danny and he graduated from Atlantic High School in Delray
Beach and really began his dedicated interest in music while being viewed as a substantial leader
in the program at the high school. He attended the Florida State University and graduated with a
bachelor’s degree in music education. While at FSU, his mentors were deeply meaningful to
Danny and lasted an entire lifetime. Following FSU, Danny taught at Hudson High School in
Hudson, Florida. After a successful tenure at Hudson, Danny attended the University of North
Texas and studied wind conducting while earning the first Master of Music degree in the
program. After his time at North Texas, Danny was the Associate Director of University Bands
at Syracuse University. Mars Hill College was the next stop for Danny as he was the Director of
Bands there and took the band to heights never before imagined - performances at the College
Band Directors National Association Regional Conference as well as North Carolina Music
Educators Association Conference were two that deserve mentioning. Following Mars Hill,
Danny attended the University of Kentucky and completed a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in
Conducting. Once a doctor, Danny accepted the post as Director Bands at Northern Arizona
University in Flagstaff, Arizona, where, for many years, Danny became a force of nature in that
region of the country. The NAU Wind Ensemble was involved in many cutting edge and forward
thinking endeavors. Collaborating with guest composers and world class artists, the ensemble
was known as a terrific example of artistic notoriety. He was a brilliant academic. This academic
scholarship allowed him to be selected as a Fulbright Scholar.
His contributions were desired by companies such as Carl Fischer and Excelcia Music
Publishing, as well as other entities that provide materials that enhance the world of instrumental
ensemble teaching and guidance. Danny conducted the “Trade Winds,” an elite ensemble of
professional musicians that gathered annually for over 20 years to record literally thousands of
new works for many major educational music publishers. Danny was also invited to guest
conduct, present a clinic, or evaluate performances, in literally hundreds of different scenarios
across the globe. In addition to that, Danny was a remarkable friend to many. He was proudly an
Irish Catholic and his passion for life and deep thinking, coupled with his love for his birth city,
Chicago (Bears, Blackhawks, White Sox), FSU sports (football especially), evenings with robust
conversations, and, a deeply rigorous spirit that was committed to philosophical depth and
consistency, are attributes that Danny shared. His legacy is lasting and he has literally thousands
of students that were impacted by his artistry and intellectualism. He was a sincere family
member, friend, and, beautiful human.
Danny is survived by his familial brothers David (June) and Darren Schmidt, and his “bio
brothers” Jim Bonynge and Stuart Burns (Trista). Danny was preceded in death by his familial
parents Aloys and Virginia Schmidt, and his birth parents, John (Jack) Francis Burns and Susan
Joyce Thornburg.
The funeral will be on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic
Church in Delray Beach, Florida.