As drummer of the GRAMMY-winning band Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chad Smith is no stranger to performing in front of thousands of passionate fans.
Many School of Music students have similar dreams: to craft their own music for others to enjoy. When Smith enters Huntington Bank Stadium for the October 11 halftime show with the University of Minnesota Marching Band, a new scholarship will debut, inspiring young Minnesota musicians to follow their musical dreams. Returning to Smith’s Minnesota roots, this scholarship will honor his parents, proud University of Minnesota Twin Cities alums Curtis and Joan Smith.
Curtis and Joan Smith graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1957 and 1948, respectively, with Curtis attending through the G.I. Bill. Chad credits their support and University of Minnesota education with instilling a lifelong love of learning, which crucially exposed him to the arts at a young age…