NOLA-PS Mourns the Loss of Music Educator Lloyd Harris, Jr.

(New Orleans – August 2, 2021) – NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) family is deeply saddened by the passing of beloved music educator, Lloyd L. Harris, Jr.

"Mr. Lloyd Harris was a beloved music educator who taught for more than fifty years in the New Orleans area," said Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. "He was a trailblazer who inspired thousands of New Orleans Public School students to develop a love for music and learning, and our school community will always remember his passion, work ethic, and his love for teaching music."

Mr. Harris' love affair with music began at a young age, continued through his high school years at Walter L. Cohen High School, carried through as drum major at Xavier University, and finally led him to the classroom.

Mr. Harris taught at Valena C. Jones Elementary, McDonogh 35 Sr. High, Boyet Jr. High in Slidell, and Eleanor McMain, just to name a few. Over the years, he was also invited to be a guest conductor for music programs at Warren Easton High School, Carter G. Woodson Middle School, Samuel Green Middle School, and the Xavier University concert band. Mr. Harris also traveled to host music workshops across the country.

He is remembered for helping break down racial barriers in the late 1960s. While at Alfred Lawless Jr. High in the late 1960s, the high school concert band was the first African-American band to receive the Superior Sweepstakes State Band award in the Louisiana Music Educators Association Competition. When they visited Southeastern in Hammond, the audience walked out the auditorium. But he helped encourage and train the students to keep playing, even if they were disrespected.

At that time, no African-American bands had entered the Louisiana Music Education Association Annual Competition, but the band took home the award in 1967, 1968, and 1969.

Mr. Harris was a member of the Louisiana Music Educators' Hall of Fame, winner of the New Orleans Public School teaching award, a composer, teacher, musician and someone who left his indelible mark on the music of New Orleans.

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About NOLA Public Schools: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish. It includes the district's administration and elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 76 public schools and is led by Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr.

For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.