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Ed Harris Papers, 1961-2006

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Harris, Ed (Edward J.), 1943-2006
Title
Ed Harris Papers
Dates
1961-2006 (inclusive)
Quantity
15.25 linear feet, 41 cassettes, 36 CDs, and 10.2 gigabytes of digital materials.
Collection Number
Mss 887
Summary
Ed Harris was a music educator, vocalist, composer, director, and accompanist. He spent most of his professional career in Billings, Montana where he helped to found the Rimrock Opera and was active with the Billings Studio Theatre. This collection includes published and unpublished sheet music and lyrics from Harris's various works; scrapbooks of his productions and events; professional and teaching awards; programs from musical productions; audio recordings of his music; correspondence with music publishers; personal papers; and photographs.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.

Languages
English.
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Biographical Note

Edward J. "Ed" Harris was born on April 24, 1943 to Hubert and Alyce Harris. Raised in Forsyth, Montana, Harris attended the University of Montana in Missoula and graduated with degrees in music and music education in 1966. He then attended the University of Washington and obtained his master's degree. He married Sharon Egge on June 16, 1967. The couple would have one son, Jordan.

Harris taught music in Billings, Montana for 26 years and was awarded the Montana Music Educators Association (MMEA) President’s Award in 2005. He was also editor of the MMEA's publication, the Cadenza. He was active in local musical productions as a director, vocalist, and accompanist. A prolific and successful composer, his "Billings, My City, My Home," became the official city song in 1988. Harris was active in the formation of the Rimrock Opera in 1999 and the Ed Harris Excellence in Musical Direction Award from the Billings Studio Theatre was created in his honor. He was also very involved with the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and the American Lutheran Church, using his talents to lead in music ministry.

Ed Harris passed away on September 17, 2006 from Lou Gehrig's Disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

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Content Description

This collection contains published and unpublished compositions by Ed Harris including original drafts and notes. Also included are recordings, programs, clippings, awards, and correspondence concerning his numerous published works. Recordings of his various performances and performances of pieces written by him are available in the following formats: digital files, CD, and audio cassette. Harris's work with organizations dedicated to engaging the public with the performing arts, including the Billings Symphony Orchestra and their events as well as the Rimrock Opera (now part of NOVA Center for the Performing Arts), are evident in the form of event planning materials, original compositions, and clippings. There are also materials related to Harris's education at Forsyth High School, the University of Montana, and the University of Washington. Scrapbooks he kept with various report cards, memorabilia, programs, and clippings from his own performances as a director, vocalist, and accompanist are included. There are also biographical pieces from his various performances, and a personal narrative by the family adds to these official biographical materials. The collection also includes photographs of various events taken by or of Harris.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright retained by Sharon Harris, please contact Archives and Special Collections for additional information. Music materials still in publication are not available for duplication, please contact Archives and Special Collections for additional information.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Ed Harris Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is divided into eight series:

Series I: Compositions, 1961-2014, 9.125 linear feet

Subseries 1: Unpublished Works, 1962-2014, 5.625 linear feet

Subseries 2: Published Works, 1964-2010, 2.0 linear feet

Subseries 3: Works in Print, 1966-2008, 1.5 linear feet

Series II: Correspondence, 1977-2009, 6 folders

Series III: Photographs, 1977-2002, 5 folders

Series IV: Production Binders, 1991-2007, 1.5 linear feet

Series V: Audio Recordings, 1965-2008, 41 cassettes, 36 CDs, 10.1 gigabytes of digital materials

Subseries 1: Ed Harris's Compositions, 1965-2008, 37 cassettes, 18 CDs, 5.1 gigabytes of digital materials

Subseries 2: Miscellaneous Recordings, 1965-2008, 4 cassettes, 18 CDs, 5 gigabytes of digital materials

Series VI: Digital Files, 1990-2012, 93.5 megabytes of digital materials

Subseries 1: Ed Harris's Compositions, 1990-2012, 89.8 megabytes of digital materials

Subseries 2: Miscellaneous Files, 1990-2006, 872 kilobytes of digital materials

Series VII: Scrapbooks, 1963-2005, 2.875 linear feet

Series VIII: Memorabilia, 1957-2009, 1.25 linear feet

Custodial History

Gift of Sharon Harris, 2015 and 2016.

Acquisition Information

Materials were transferred to Archives and Special Collections directly from Sharon Harris.

Future Additions

There are no expected additions to this collection.

Processing Note

This collection was received as two accessions and has since been slightly rearranged. This collection was arranged according to the original order and the descriptions provided by Sharon Harris. Original titles to the folders have been retained where possible. The folders are arranged in alphabetical order by title of the composition. Originally compositions were in two categories: Works In Print and Works Not In Print. Works Not In Print were further broken down into Published and Unpublished Works because that is how they were described by Sharon Harris. In each folder containing a composition there is a form written by Sharon Harris providing context. Those folders that do not contain a composition often had context provided by Sharon Harris via sticky note. The sticky notes have been removed for preservation purposes but a facsimile was retained in the sticky note's original location. Those materials that are not compositions are also in alphabetical order by title of folder to keep arrangement consistent. The original inventory has been retained. Duplicates of some materials have been retained for possible future exhibitions.

Related Materials

Ed Harris's published scores and sheet music are still available in print from various publishers.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid prepared by Kellyn Younggren and Erin Baucom
2016

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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