David Harris may be retiring from Middletown High School, but not from his musical life.
He has devoted 27 years of his life as band director for the Cavalier Marching Band and Concert Band at MHS.
“It was a wonderful experience,” Harris said. “We had a lot of performances.”
The director has traveled with his marching band for competitions to many areas in the United States including Disney World and local favorite the Middletown Historical Society Olde-Tyme Peach Festival.
“The success and leadership of the students has led to very fine performances,” Harris said.
He said he grew up in a musical family where his father also established a career as a music teacher. It wasn’t until Harris was 10-years-old that he started playing his specialty, the euphonium. He has acquired a musical taste for the low brass instrument family since.
He became more musically inspired by his parents’ interest of study and attended Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va., for music education.
“It is something I was good at and enjoyed,” Harris said. “I wanted to share it.”
In 1979, Harris started his music career in education at Woodbridge High School. His passion continued to his long-standing career at MHS, beginning as a chorus teacher and then assistant band director.
Harris said he became band director when Dr. Voni Perrine came to MHS a few years later as choral director and director of musicals. Both have worked closely and conducted together for the Performing Arts Department since.
“I thank [Perrine] for all the things we accomplished together,” he said.
Harris also practiced his talent in a Circus band during college, with which he traveled to perform in places such as France, Florida, Maine and Nebraska.
He has played in pit for musicals, directed MHS Jazz Band, is director of Newark Community Band, is chairman of the Senior All State Band and sometimes plays with the First State Symphonic Band and others.
Harris said he decided to retire because worked very hard in music education for about 30 years, and wants to have the laidback and easier lifestyle he earned.
He said anything is possible in the next phase of his life, but knows he will continue to participate in choir at church and direct the Newark Community Band.
“For the first time in 30 years, I have the choice to do something else,” he said. “I will miss working with the young people.”
