Lawrence Harris

Music Notes By Mary Jane Farmer
Herald Democrat
Opera in the schools? Yes, why not? Especially when it’s being brought to students by a former professional football player who can present it with all the macho both fields deserve. After all, it takes incredible self-discipline to achieve in either. That’s just part of the message that Sherman native, former Houston Oiler lineman, and acclaimed opera star Lawrence Harris is taking into Sherman area classrooms next week. He and his wife, Renee Guerrero, developed their own music outreach program titled “From Football To Opera.” It involves a combination of storytelling and singing and, through those mediums, the program stresses the importance of pride in one’s culture and heritage, respect for the earth and each other, as well as the discipline needed to excel in sports, music or any profession. They’ve taken that message to youth across America.

Now, football players and choirs, young children and teenagers will be there when Harris demonstrates how the athletic training and experience he received is directly applicable to his discipline and artistic endeavor as a professional opera singer. In “From Football to Opera,” he performs examples of folk music, opera and musical theater, selections from Verdi’s “La Traviata,” the musical “Oklahoma,” and the animated film “Pocahontas.” His wife, Renee, a professional classical pianist, will accompany him.

Harris said he is proud of his heritage, half Mississipi Choctaw native American. As a child in Sherman, he sang in church and gospel choirs, including the Sherman High School choir. He performed in musical theater and played football. Upon graduation, Harris received college scholarships in both music and football at Oklahoma State. From there, he was drafted for the Houston Oilers and spent eight years as a defensive end.

His singing career began when he sang bit parts with the Houston Grand Opera in the off-season while he was still a professional football player.

After a football injury, he worked on offshore oil rigs, in tire sales, and for an oil field service company, always knowing that he would dedicate himself to singing someday. That dream came true in 1993, when he made his New York opera debut, after which the New York Times called him a “major voice.” Since then, he has had leading roles with many opera groups, including the New York Grand Opera and the Tulsa Opera. His barritone voice has been called by various reviewers as “rich” and “powerful.”

Sunday evening, at 5 p.m., Harris will be singing in a benefit concert to raise money for the student music outreach program in the area. The performance will be in Binkley hall at the United Methodist Church in Sherman. Donations of $10 for adults and $5 for children are suggested.

Monday, he begins the weekly program at 1:30 p.m. with the Sherman High School football teams and choir; Tuesday, 12:50 p.m., at Texoma Christian School; Wednesday, 4:15 p.m., Sherman Boys & Girls Club; Thursday, 9 a.m. at Jefferson Elementary School and 1:30 p.m. at Piner Middle School; and Friday 10 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic School.

For more information, call 903-813-1785 or visit the Harris’ Web site, www.lawrenceharrisbaritone.com