Harrison Keller

Harrison Keller (b. October 8, 1888, Delphos, Kansas - d. March 13, 1979, Wellesley, Massachusetts) was an American violinist and music educator. ["Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians", Seventh Edition, Revised by Nicolas Slonimsky, Schirmer Books, New York, 1984, page 1178]

Keller began his violin studies at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, graduating in 1907. From 1907 to 1911, he continued his studies at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin, Germany. Keller also studied with Anton Witek in Prague (1912) and Leopold Auer in St. Petersburg, Russia (1913 to 1914). ["Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians", Seventh Edition, Revised by Nicolas Slonimsky, Schirmer Books, New York, 1984, page 1178]

Keller served in the United States Army during World War I, acting as leader of the 301st Artillery Band in France, [Biographical sketch, RG 1.4: Records of Harrison Keller, Director/President, 1946 -1958. New England Conservatory Archives, Boston, MA.] and received the French Legion of Honor. On his return to the United States, he put together the Boston String Quartet in Boston, Massachusetts. Keller joined the faculty of New England Conservatory of Music in 1921 as head of the violin department. From 1922 to 1946, Keller was head of the string department. From 1947 to 1952, he served as the Conservatory’s sixth Director; and from 1952 to 1958, President of its Board of Directors. ["Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians", Seventh Edition, Revised by Nicolas Slonimsky, Schirmer Books, New York, 1984, page 1178]

Keller also served as Director of the Boston Opera Association [Biographical sketch, RG 1.4: Records of Harrison Keller, Director/President, 1946 -1958. New England Conservatory Archives, Boston, MA.] and President of the National Association of Schools of Music for three terms. [’’The School Musician’’ published 1947, American School Band Directors Association] Keller was also appointed to the American Academy of Arts. [Biographical sketch, RG 1.4: Records of Harrison Keller, Director/President, 1946 -1958. New England Conservatory Archives, Boston, MA.]

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