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Zachary J. Harris has taught instrumental music for 33 years in Mississippi. He is currently part-time music instructor at William Carey University, where he teaches applied low brass, concert band and supervises instrumental student interns. Prior to his employment at William Carey, Mr. Harris was Director of Bands for the Gulfport School District, where he oversaw all of the instrumental wind programs for the district. He conducted the Symphonic Band, taught the music for the marching band and served as Department Chairperson. Mr. Harris also serves on the Music for All Educational Consultant Team and is the Chairperson for the Urban Music Education Program and the I-65 Corridor Collaborative.
Mr. Harris, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Mississippi Valley State University and his Masters of Music Education from the University of Mississippi. He is a member of Mississippi Bandmasters Association Inc., where he is past president, National Federation High School Music Association and Phi Beta Mu where he served on the Executive Board.
Mr. Harris was named “Administrator of the Year” for the Brookhaven School District in 2002-2003. In 2005 he was selected as Star Teacher for Brookhaven High School. In 2011, Mr. Harris was named Band Director of the Year for District and State. In March 2016, his Gulfport Symphonic Band performed at the Music for All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana, where his band was the first band from Mississippi to perform at the National Festival. While performing his final concert with his symphonic band, the Mayor of Gulfport presented Mr. Harris with a proclamation naming May 1, 2017 as “Zachary J. Harris Day”, for his outstanding service and dedication to the Gulfport School District Band Program. In December 2018, Zachary Harris was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu’s Delta Chapter of Mississippi’s Band Director Hall of Fame.
Zachary is married to Sheila and they have two daughters Brianna and Zacharia.