ALPENA, Mich. – Dr. Harry R. Begian, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday (July 26, 2010) at his home in Alpena.
He was born on April 24, 1921, in Pontiac, Mich., and married Emily Gibbs on Sept. 21, 1943, in Brownsville, Texas. He served in the 180th AGS Band of the U.S. Army during World War II. His bachelor and master degrees were pursued at Wayne State University and his doctoral degree was earned at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Begian is one of the world's most renowned band conductors of his generation. He was Director of Bands at the University of Illinois (1970-1984), where he initiated "the most distinguished and complete collection of recorded band music performances in existence," Michigan State University (1967-1970) and Wayne State University (1964-1967).
Prior to his university career, it was his work as Director of Bands and Head of the Performing Arts Department at Detroit's Cass Technical High School (1947-1964) that developed his national recognition. His recordings from those years are in permanent file at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
He has appeared as conductor and clinician throughout the United States, Canada and Australia and served his profession in many leadership positions, including the past President of the American Bandmaster's Association and Board of Directors of the International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.
In 1987, the musicians of the Detroit Symphony, many of them his former students, invited him to guest conduct a formal concert in Detroit's Orchestra Hall. His students of conducting and music education are in high school, college and university positions all over the United States.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Emily; his three children, Carol (John) McGuire, MaryAnn (Kenneth) Hubbard and Dan (Donnette) Begian; grandchildren, Wendy (Dan Bull) Hubbard, Daniel Jeremy (Kendra) Alpert, Thomas Harry McGuire, Benjamin Lambrechts and Bradley Lambrechts; great-grandchild, Gavin Alpert; brother, James Begian; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dr. Begian was preceded in death by his parents, Neshan and Osge Begian; brother, Mehrin Begian; and a sister.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Bannan Funeral Home, Alpena, Mich., and again on Friday at 10 a.m. preceding the 11 a.m. service at the funeral home with Rev. Jack Johnson officiating. Full military honors will be accorded him at the funeral home at 6 p.m. today by VFW Alpena Post 2496.
Memorials can be made to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp or to the American Bandmaster's Association in Harry Begian's memory.
Online condolences can be registered at bannanfuneralhome.com.
