Harris, Dale Clarence (1900-1997) | University of Illinois Archives

Dale Clarence Harris (1900-1997) was born in Coin, Iowa on January 20, 1900. At age 17, Harris served aboard a navy ship during WWI. Following the war, he played clarinet and saxophone with Bohumir Kryl and Shreier's orchestras in Chicago. Harris attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where he played clarinet in the Simpson Conservatory Orchestra and Band, served as president of the local chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, acted as the assistant conductor of the orchestra, and was a member of Kappa Theta Psi fraternity. He graduated with a degree in music in 1925, joining the faculty in that same year. Harris married Enid Harvey of Council Bluffs, IA on June 24, 1926. Together, the couple had a daughter.

In 1927, Harris moved to Pontiac, Michigan, where he became the director of bands at Pontiac High School. He would serve in this role until 1962. During this time he served as the President of the Southeastern Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. In 1953, he became a founding member and the first president of the American School Band Directors Association, serving in this role until 1955. He became an honorary life president in 1960. After his retirement, Harris moved to California, where he wrote A History of the American School Band Directors Association: Organizational Background and Formative Years, 1926-1955. Harris continued to be active in the ASBDA until 1988, when he was honored at the annual convention. In 1991, he received an honorary degree from Simpson College for his work with American bands. Harris died on February 16, 1997 in Alameda California.

"Orchestra Plays Annual Concert," The Simpsonian (Indianola, IA), March 23, 1935, 1.

The Zenith Yearbook, Simpson College, 1926, 39 and 118.

"Harris-Harvey," The Daily Nonpareil (Council Bluffs, IA), June 30, 1926, 5.

Ryan M. Yahl, "An Updated History of the American School Band Directors Association," Indiana University, DMA Dissertation, 2018.