Christopher Harris was pulling into his driveway after auditions at Hickman High School in Columbia when he saw the news. Over 1,400 students auditioned for all-state band on Dec. 4. Missouri all-state band is the top honor band for high school students and only 108 students are accepted into the elite ensemble. Harris, a junior, checked the social media page and saw his name. He was selected for the baritone section.

“I was really excited, it was kind of crazy,” he shared.

He is the first all-state band member from Salem High Schools (SHS) since 1993. An SHS student was an alternate in 1995.

For the first time in almost 30 years, SHS will be represented at the Jan. 29 concert at Tan-Tar-A at the Lake of the Ozarks. Harris will participate in a clinic directed by Dr. Rodney Dorsey, a professor of music at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music as part of the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference.

Harris plays baritone and was the drum major for the 2021 Salem marching blue season. He attained district honors from seventh grade through his junior year, sitting in first chair each year, except one. Harris credits former director David Schatz for starting him on the baritone. He tried clarinet, trumpet and flute before settling on the four-key euphonium.

“I tried some other instruments but couldn’t make a sound…until that one,” Harris laughed.

Future band plans include the 2022 marching season at SHS. He also participates in the jazz band, pep band, and concert band.

As a freshman Harris was selected to participate in the Midwest Honor Band and Orchestra Festival, held at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. He was nominated by Schatz and auditioned for the honor band. Harris was selected as third chair baritone in the High School Wind Symphony.

Harris will participate Feb. 5 at the University of Central Missouri Honor Wind and Brass Symposium upon receiving the invitation after his all-state audition.

Harris is currently looking at attending the University of Missouri or possibly UMKC after graduation.

“I am leaning towards Mizzou because they have a marching band. I have spoken to the director. They have a recruitment and audition process,” said Harris.

Harris is not only successful in instrumental music, but has also been awarded several times as a vocalist, even though choir was not actually a planned class for him.

“I needed another class in eighth grade, so I decided to try choir,” Harris said. He took a solo to district competition and achieved a I rating. He auditioned for the Salem Chamber Singers as a freshman and has been a member for the past three years. The singers are highly-regarded, earning several Gold ratings and numerous invitations to perform at various events throughout the state and country. Most recently, the group performed at the state capitol in December.

COVID-19 cancelled several choral events over the past two years, but Harris plans to take a solo to competition this year. In spring of 2021 he achieved a Gold rating for his solo.

Competing and succeeding in instrumental and choral music are just small parts of Harris’ time at SHS. He is also an honor student, while also taking dual enrollment college courses. In addition to his studies and practicing his instrument for hours each week, he works at J.B. Malone’s about five days per week. He played football for several years until a concussion sidelined him for a season. He plans to return to the field for his senior year.

When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up there was no hesitation.

“A band director, that’s definitely what I want to do,” he said.

Christopher is the son of Hannah Brown Harris, and grandson of Earl and Karen Brown.