Our New Music Director

Mr. Stephen Smith with his wife, Elizabeth, and their daughter, Briella, in the choir loft of the Immaculate Conception Chapel.

Interview with Our New Music Director Stephen Smith

WILL ROBBINS ‘25, DIOCESE OF BEAUMONT

Welcome to the North American College! What are you each most looking forward to in joining the College?

Stephen: First and foremost, I look forward to helping in the musical formation of these men. These seminarians are the next generation of priests, so it is a great responsibility to ensure they are exposed to the Church’s great wealth of music. In my time as a church musician, I have seen firsthand the difference a strong musical formation makes.

Elizabeth: In addition to getting to see the men grow in their faith, this is a great opportunity for us to deepen our faith. Being so close to the heart of the Church is an incredible blessing, and we are so fortunate to have it as the backdrop of our time here.

What went into your decision to apply for this position, especially since it required moving across the world?

A position like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. When discerning to accept the position, we were in contact with Mr. Nicholas Will, the Director of Liturgical Music from 2018 to 2020. He also had relocated across the world with a young family and was incredibly helpful in sharing

his experiences at the NAC while raising a family. I was also excited about the challenges this would bring, both for our family and my own musical growth. Elizabeth was also incredibly supportive and encouraging in my decision to accept.

Stephen, your brother, Fr. Philip Smith, is a graduate of the NAC. Did you ever visit the College when he was a seminarian? If so, what is it like coming back?

I visited the College with my parents and two of my brothers in the spring of 2009. While there were many highlights from the trip, two memories stick out to me. First, Msgr. Powers, then my brother’s spiritual director, celebrated an early morning Mass with our family in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica. Afterward, we had the Basilica nearly to ourselves; it was an unforgettable memory! The second was the tour my brother gave us of the NAC, which ended with a stunning rooftop view of Rome.

Coming back as a member of the staff is a humbling but exciting endeavor. The NAC holds a rich history in so many ways. It is the honor of a lifetime to have an active role in the musical formation of these seminarians in the heart of the Church.

You moved here with your wife, Elizabeth, and ten-month-old daughter, Briella. Can you tell us about what that was like? Did it change anything in your relationship with God?

Once I accepted the job, we had just about a month to get everything squared away. It was a challenge deciding what to sell, store, give away, and discard. Reducing everything we own to a few suitcases and boxes was a lofty task. Thankfully, we had the help of friends and family.

Overall it has been a pretty seamless transition. The NAC has been great to us! Dr. Mark Glafke, the Coordinator of Counseling Services, and his wife, Michaela, have been a great help in teaching us the lay of the land, especially when it comes to learning where to shop for groceries and where to find the best gelato.

This experience has taught us to have a total trust in the will of God. During the six months prior to accepting the job, we dealt with many frustrating roadblocks while trying to buy a house and settle in the Columbus area. Now, it is abundantly clear why so many of those things were falling through. Three months ago, I could have never predicted we would be living in Rome and making music with these wonderful people. It was a reminder for me, that as much as I want to be in control of my life, God’s will and plans for my family and me are much greater than I could ever imagine.

How has your first month in Rome been? Have you found a favorite pasta yet?

Stephen: The first month was a bit like drinking out of a fire hose. Moving here three weeks before the Diaconate Ordination forced me to acclimate quickly to the music program. However, working with so many talented and hard working young men has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Every pasta I have tried has been outstanding with carbonara and cacio e pepe very high on the list.

Elizabeth: Crazy. Busy. Insane. Wonderful. Amazing. There are still these little moments of “Oh wow, we live in Rome!” and it is honestly bizarre to me. Thankfully, Briella is a super easy baby, and that has definitely eased the transition.

While I have not had a pasta here yet that I do not like, I am typically pretty non-discriminatory when it comes to pasta. The NAC’s lasagna is high on the list, but to be fair to all pastas, I cannot name one single favorite. n

Briella tries her hand playing the College's three-manual organ as her father and mother look on.