Mississippi Valley State University: Interview With Dr. Darryl E. Harris, Sr., Director of Bands

Dr. Darryl E. Harris, Sr.,
Director of Bands, Mississippi Valley State University

AfriClassical has periodically reported on the musical activities of Dr. Darryl E. Harris, Sr. since 2008, when he was  a doctoral student in Musical Arts at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Florida Sun
August 15-21, 2013
Catching up with Dr. Darryl Harris
By Glenn Perkins [Excerpt]

Dr. Harris took over the Mean Green Marching Machine Band in the fall of 2012. He is full of energy and eager to lead the band program to higher heights. Harris is a native of Greenville, Miss. He was a member of the United States Air Force Music & Meteorological programs from 1972 to 1996. His primary instrument is the bassoon. He holds an Associate of Science degree from S.U.N.Y at Empire State College in Long Island, New York, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University In Macomb, Illinois, a second bachelor’s from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio, a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from The Cleveland Institute of Music, and Doctorate of Music Arts in Orchestral Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi.

He previously served as instructor of Strings/Conductor of Orchestra in the Hattiesburg (MS) Public Schools, Assistant Conductor of the Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre’s, 2006 production of Godspell, Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestras, Music Director/Conductor of the Chagrin Valley (Ohio) Chamber Orchestra, and Conductor of the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Orchestra. You name it, Harris has done it.

He has also conducted the Jackson, Miss. Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, the Southern Mississippi Chamber Orchestra, the Mobile, Ala. Youth Orchestra, the Nassau, Long Island Symphony Orchestra, the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., the Chamber Orchestra of the Civic Orchestraof Chicago, and the Tacoma (WA) Community Orchestra and other ensembles throughout the United States. His musical background not only equips him to successfully lead anyband program, but it allows him to be a mentor, a motivator, and an inspiration to anyone pursuing a career in music. “It’s a great honor to serve as MVSU’s new director of bands,” said Harris.