Major N. Clark Smith in Chicago

Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Spring 2003 by Ohman, Marian M

He joined the faculty at Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri, where he led the band and taught fundamentals of music. Several of his students later became prominent Kansas City jazz musicians. But once again irresistible opportunities enticed Smith back to Chicago. One request came from a former student who asked for advice about establishing a music school; another was an offer from the Pullman Company to serve as leader of an innovative project designed for their railroad porters. Dr. Borowski of the Chicago Musical College reportedly had recommended Smith to the Pullman Company for this leadership position.27

Smith's former student, Pauline James Lee (b. 1887), founded and assumed the presidency of the Chicago University of Music; the name was later changed to National University of Music. The school opened in 1920 and she remained at the helm for almost three decades.28 While the school openly embraced a broad spectrum of stylistic approaches, Lee intended to encourage a just valuation of "American Negro" music, making it possible to develop their folk themes as a basis for a modem school of American composition. Smith helped plan the school, and while still living in Kansas City, came as a visiting teacher to instruct advanced students during the "Summer Master School."29 Following his move to Chicago, he headed the orchestra and military band departments and taught conducting.30 Lee's preparatory school accepted children as young as five, but it also provided instruction for students entering secondary schools and conservatories.31 Summer school drew professional musicians who welcomed the opportunity to teach.32 Practice studios, with reasonable fees, were arranged for the benefit of students in need or lacking suitable home facilities.33 Enrollment approached three hundred in 1925 and welcomed all students regardless of race.34

Headquarters for the school were located on 5002 S. Wabash Street until 1922 when Lee leased property belonging to Ernestine Schumann-Heink (1861-1936), an internationally recognized Austrian contralto who immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen. Schumann-Heink publicly voiced support for participation of blacks in the music world, and when the rumor circulated that rental of her home on "Chicago's Gold Coast" appeared imminent, her wealthy neighbors expressed concern, for her prestigious, twenty-one room brick residence at 3672 South Michigan Avenue, sat near the fringe of the "Black Belt" area. Schumann-Heink disregarded her neighbors' complaints and reportedly rejected their attempts to purchase the property.35 Following an investigation by her attorney, she reached an agreement with Lee, who signed a three-year lease with the option to buy the property.36

In addition to making frequent weekend trips to assist Lee with school activities, Smith continued teaching at the high school in Kansas City, and training African-American United States Army bandmasters.37 On the horizon loomed an innovative project planned by the well-known Pullman Company, manufacturer of the sleeping railroad car, invented by George Pullman in the 1860s.