[1] In 1917, at age twelve Smith took up study of the flute with Georges Barrère at the Institute of Musical Art (later the Juilliard School).

[3] In 1923 he entered Harvard University, while studying flute with Georges Laurent, principal flutist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

[2] Returning to New York City in 1931, Smith commenced teaching in the history department at Columbia University (until 1935).

The same year he began his tenure as chief of the New York Public Library's Music Division, a position he held until 1959.

[14] Smith also oversaw the acquisition of manuscript collections of Louis Moreau Gottschalk and George Frederick Bristow.

[15] Smith was one of the founders of the American Musicological Society, providing much of the work for the inaugural meeting in New York City and served as that organization's president 1939—1940.

"[16] In 1943 Smith was appointed chairman of performing arts activities to the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs.

[17] That same year he embarked upon a second tour of Latin America with joint sponsorship from the Office as well as the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

[12] Upon his retirement, Smith together with Ernesto da Cal, established the Brazilian Institute at New York University.

[18] From 1965 through 1980, Smith was a visiting professor at Douglass Residential College, annually offering a course "Music in America.