Houston Symphony
Texas Tech University
Richard Harris joined the Houston Symphony as second trumpet in May of 2018. In March of 2018, Mr. Harris gained the distinction of being the only musician in an American orchestra to have won auditions for each trumpet position in one orchestra. He achieved this notable accomplishment by winning nationally held blind auditions for the positions of Second Trumpet (2009), Associate Principal / 3rd Trumpet (2014) and Principal Trumpet (2018). Mr. Harris has performed J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no. 2, Copland’s Quiet City, and Concerti by Vivaldi, Hummel, Haydn, and Neruda. He has enjoyed performing in orchestras all over the world including the Seoul Philharmonic in South Korea and the Jalisco Philharmonic in Guadalajara, Mexico. He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, as well as many others.
An avid educator, Richard Harris has given master classes at universities and high schools across the country. He currently serves as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Texas Tech University. Previously he has served on the faculty of UNC Charlotte, Winthrop University, and as the brass coach for the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2010-2017. Mr. Harris endeavors to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere for his students where he cultivates and nurtures their love of music while encouraging and motivating improvement. His hope is that the music will always remain an important and positive part of their lives. Mr. Harris’ students have enjoyed successful auditions for orchestras, wind ensembles, and prestigious programs of study.
Harris has studied with Thomas Booth, Barbara Butler, and many others. He has degrees from Texas Tech University and Southern Methodist University (SMU). While a student at SMU he had the honor of playing 2 seasons with the National Repertory Orchestra. In 1999 he won the Texas Tech University concerto competition and was also at the Las Vegas Music Festival as a TTU student.
Born in Lander, Wyoming he is the youngest of 5 siblings. When he was five years old he began his musical studies on the ‘cello, and then began playing the trumpet in fourth grade at age 8. He also composes and arranges. In 2013, he met and married his wife, Angela, and they have 2 children between them, Edward and Eva.