Harry Begian
Encyclopedia
Dr. Harry Begian was an American
Band Director. Dr. Begian taught at both the secondary and collegiate level during his career.
At the secondary level, Dr. Begian served as band director at Detroit's Cass Technical High School
from 1947 through 1964. During Dr. Begian’s tenure at Cass Tech, the band was invited to perform at the prestigous Mid-West Band Clinic in 1954. Following Dr. Begian’s tenure at Cass Tech, he earned a Doctorate from the University of Michigan
, and started his college teaching career.
After serving three years as Director of Bands at Wayne State University
and three years as Director of Bands at Michigan State University
, Dr. Begian began his fourteen-year tenure as only the third person to hold the position Director of Bands at the University of Illinois in 1970. Dr. Begian retired from the University of Illinois in 1984. During Dr. Begian's tenure at the University of Illinois, he continued the LP recording project established by his predecessor, Mark Hindsley.
After his retirement from the University of Illinois, many of the recording of the Symphonic Band under Dr. Begian's baton were re-distributed as a set of 20 CDs. Dr. Begian was especially know for his recordings of the works by Percy Grainger
, as well as his interpretation of the tone poems of Richard Strauss
. Dr. Begin was born in Michigan
of Armenian
immigrants in 1921. The influence of his Armenian heritage was the motivating factor in his asking Alfred Reed
to compose his work for band entitled "Armenian Dances" parts 1 and 2. Dr. Begin was a frequent contributor to such band publications as "The Instrumentalist".
In 2003, Dr. Begian was honored in a tribute to his professional accomplishments by the U.S. Senate.
Dr. Begian died July 26, 2010 at the age of 89.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Band Director. Dr. Begian taught at both the secondary and collegiate level during his career.
At the secondary level, Dr. Begian served as band director at Detroit's Cass Technical High School
Cass Technical High School
The Cass Tech Technicians football team is a high school football program in Division 1 Public School League, representing the prestigious Cass Technical High School in Detroit, MI. Cass Tech High School has long been recognized nationwide for its extraordinary football program dating back to its...
from 1947 through 1964. During Dr. Begian’s tenure at Cass Tech, the band was invited to perform at the prestigous Mid-West Band Clinic in 1954. Following Dr. Begian’s tenure at Cass Tech, he earned a Doctorate from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, and started his college teaching career.
After serving three years as Director of Bands at Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
and three years as Director of Bands at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
, Dr. Begian began his fourteen-year tenure as only the third person to hold the position Director of Bands at the University of Illinois in 1970. Dr. Begian retired from the University of Illinois in 1984. During Dr. Begian's tenure at the University of Illinois, he continued the LP recording project established by his predecessor, Mark Hindsley.
After his retirement from the University of Illinois, many of the recording of the Symphonic Band under Dr. Begian's baton were re-distributed as a set of 20 CDs. Dr. Begian was especially know for his recordings of the works by Percy Grainger
Percy Grainger
George Percy Aldridge Grainger , known as Percy Grainger, was an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist. In the course of a long and innovative career he played a prominent role in the revival of interest in British folk music in the early years of the 20th century. He also made many...
, as well as his interpretation of the tone poems of Richard Strauss
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
. Dr. Begin was born in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
of Armenian
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
immigrants in 1921. The influence of his Armenian heritage was the motivating factor in his asking Alfred Reed
Alfred Reed
Alfred Reed was one of North America's most prolific and frequently performed composers, with more than two hundred published works for concert band, wind ensemble, orchestra, chorus, and chamber ensemble to his name...
to compose his work for band entitled "Armenian Dances" parts 1 and 2. Dr. Begin was a frequent contributor to such band publications as "The Instrumentalist".
In 2003, Dr. Begian was honored in a tribute to his professional accomplishments by the U.S. Senate.
Dr. Begian died July 26, 2010 at the age of 89.