Schmid grew up as the son of a teacher couple and was from 10 to 15 years of age member of the Regensburger Domspatzen. After graduation, he was first employed by the railway and studied music from 1899 to 1903 at the Academy of Music in Munich. His teachers included Ludwig Thuille (composition), Berthold Kellermann (piano), and Josef Becht (organ). After completing his studies (with top marks) Schmid undertook concert tours as a pianist together with the violinist Willy Burmester from 1903 to 1905. In 1905 he received a call as a lecturer in piano and harmony at the Academy of Music in Munich.
In addition to his teaching, he was from 1909 to 1919 conductor of the Munich Liedertafel of 1840.
In 1919 Schmid was appointed professor at the Academy of Music in Munich and received in 1921 a call as director to the State Conservatory Karlsruhe. From 1924 to 1931 he directed the forerunner of today's Leopold Mozart Center as Director of the Municipal Conservatory in Augsburg. From 1932 Schmid was a freelance composer in Geiselbullach (near Munich).
Schmid mainly composed choral music, chamber music, songs and church music. His chamber opera The Star of the Emperor op. 45 a, he wrote after texts by Joseph Bernhart.
(Rainer Stelle)