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 the Navy aboard the USS Wisconsin during WWI. Following the war, he played clarinet and saxophone with Bohumir Kryl's Band and studied with Joseph Shreier of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Harris then earned a half-time faculty position at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. During this time, he also enrolled at the school, playing clarinet in the Simpson Conservatory Orchestra and Band, serving as president and faculty liasion of the local chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, acting as the assistant conductor of the orchestra, teaching woodwind methods, and serving as a member and faculty advisor of Kappa Theta Psi fraternity. He graduated with a degree in music in 1925. 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 1960. 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 1950 he was elected as a member to the American Bandmasters 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.

Ross Leeper, Liner Notes to A Tribute to Dale C. Harris: The Silver Anniversary Concert, April 15-16, 1952, CD, The Pontiac High School Band, produced by the ASBDA.