Ronald Smart, the musician, conductor, educator and former principal of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, has died.

He will be remembered for a wide-ranging career that spanned performance, education and musical leadership in Australia and internationally.

Smart began as a trombonist, playing in the Australian Youth Orchestra before becoming principal trombone of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under its chief conductor Eugene Goossens in the 1950s.

In the early 1960s, he undertook further study in the United States, eventually earning a doctorate in music education from the University of Southern California. It was during those years in America that he developed a particular interest in choral music, directing choirs alongside orchestras, brass ensembles, stage bands, wind orchestras and marching bands.

He spent seven years as director of music at Beverly Hills High School in Los Angeles and subsequently worked as a guest conductor and educator across North America, Australia and Europe.

Smart returned to Sydney in 1975 to join the staff of the Sydney Conservatorium, where he held senior positions including head of Performance Studies and deputy director before becoming director and principal.