Retiring music teacher gets two students in All-Eastern band

The Harris family ofNewark is all about music, especially this year.

Dad David Harris is retiring after 27 years teaching music at Middletown High School, and son Greg is one of just 13 Delaware students who have made it into All-Eastern regional musical groups. Mom Amy and daughter Lindsey also sing and play musical instruments, as do several members of their extended family.

Before this year, in nearly three decades of teaching, David has had only one other student invited to the All-Eastern band, and he ends his career with two -- his son and flute player Charlotte Lin, who was the only soloist at the All-State music ensembles performances this year.

Yes, they're all thrilled.

Greg said his parents tell him that he first showed appreciation for music when he was 2 years old and sat quietly through a three-hour Atlanta Symphony performance. He started studying the trumpet in fourth grade.

Greg has been a member of All-State Band for six years, All-State Orchestra for two and Jazz Band for one. He's auditioning to study music education - following his father's career - at the University of Delaware, West Chester (Pa.) University or James Madison University in Virginia (his favorite).

Aside from his family, he said that he was inspired most by Wynton Marsalis for his skills in classical and jazz trumpet playing.

When asked what music he listens to, David said he doesn't have much free time. After all, he figures that he puts in 60- to 70-hour weeks during marching-band season and 16-hour days just before the high school musical opens. And he also has been conducting the Newark Community Band for seven or eight years.

He does enjoy compositions by Gustav Holst, especially works that feature the euphonium, David's favorite instrument for its "beautiful mellow sound."

David himself grew up in a musical house: Both parents played instruments and sang, and his mother, in her 80s, still teaches piano.

He met his wife when they were living in the same apartment complex in Seaford, when he was teaching at Woodbridge High School. Amy plays the piano and French horn and sings with the Center City Chorale and with other family members in the choir at their church, Hanover Presbyterian in Wilmington.

Daughter Lindsey graduated with a music performance degree from Elon (N.C.) University. She was with the Peace Corps in the nation of Georgia before moving to AmeriCorps. She now works in a homeless shelter in Elkton, Md. She plays the French horn.

After chaperoning the All-Eastern honorees to Rhode Island in March, David expects that his farewell gig at Middletown will be the spring concert on May 14, featuring various school ensembles.

In retirement, he's not sure what he plans to do. At Middletown High School, he hopes that he leaves a legacy about emphasizing hard work, striving for excellence, appreciating different types of music and making school "a place to make and enjoy music."