Eric L. Harris is Professor of Music and Associate Director of Bands at Tennessee Tech University. His instructional responsibilities include conducting The TTU Wind Ensemble, conducting The TTU Concert Band, teaching courses in the instrumental music education sequence, and teaching Music Appreciation for Music Majors. Prior to his appointment at TTU, he taught for twelve years in the public schools of Charlotte, North Carolina. During this time, his middle and high school bands earned numerous superior ratings in concert and marching events across the state. In 1997, Dr. Harris was honored as one of twelve Time-Warner Star Teachers selected from over 6,000 instructional staff in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System.

Dr. Harris holds the B.M.E. degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He also holds the M.M.E. and D.M.A. degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi (in Hattiesburg) where he studied conducting with Dr. Thomas V. Fraschillo.

Dr. Harris is an affiliate member of the American School Band Director’s Association and has enjoyed teaching, conducting, and judging invitations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Mississippi. Other professional affiliations include NAfME, CBDNA, and honorary membership in Kappa Kappa Psi.

Dr. Harris is the author of Fundamentals of Music Theory for the Windband Student – a three-volume music theory workbook series published by NorthLand Music Publishers. He has also served as a contributing author for Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band, Volume Two and The New Grove Dictionary of American Music, Second Edition.

In December of 2011, Dr. Harris presented a session at the 65th Annual Midwest Clinic entitled, The Whole Enchilada: A New Curriculum Model for Twenty-First Century Bands.