The New International Encyclopædia/Harris, William Victor

HARRIS, William Victor (1869—). An American song composer, born in New York. He was a pupil of Charles Blumm, William Courtney, F. K. Schilling, and Anton Seidl. He was a successful organist, and from 1889 to 1895 held important appointments in Tuxedo Park, Brooklyn, and New York. He was for three years a teacher and coach at the Metropolitan Opera, New York; for one season was conductor of the Utica Choral Union, and served as assistant conductor under Seidl at the Brighton Beach summer concerts (1895-96). He afterwards took up his residence in New York, and established himself as a vocal instructor and composer. He published compositions for piano, organ, and chorus, but is principally known for his songs, which have been remarkably successful.