In the display case in front of the Belmont High School auditorium/theater is filled with numerous trophies from musical competitions around Boston and New England.

Those awards are the end result of a town-wide musical education program that starts in the elementary schools with a well-attended beginners program, matures at the middle school and blossoms with the high school musicians.

And one person of many who deserves credit for laying that foundation for today's music education in Belmont schools is Fred Harris.

Currently the music director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Wind Ensemble and Festival Jazz Ensemble, Harris was the instrumental music director in the Belmont Public Schools from 1989 to 1997.

With fellow educator John McLellan, Harris helped strengthen the mastery of music by elevating the instrumental teaching at all levels. Harris also led his musicians at world-renowned venues such as Boston's Symphony Hall and New York's Carnegie Hall while bringing many composers and other professional musicians to interact with his students.

Tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 2, Harris is featured speaker at the Friends of the Belmont Public Library’s Author Series where he will discuss his new book, "Seeking the Infinite: The Musical Life of Stanisław Skrowaczewski" at 7:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library.

What Harris remembered most from his time teaching music in Belmont was the overall community.

"It was the perfect combination of outstanding parents, students and colleagues. And the town’s support of music education always impressed me. I appreciated so much the quality of the leadership and the opportunities it provided the music program," Harris said in an interview with the Friends.

In his role as an educator, "I tried to expose our students to a wide variety of composers and other musicians. I know I grow from contact with exemplary musicians and I felt the students would as well," he said.

But what stays in Harris' mind the most from his time in Belmont are the relationships formed over the years.

"Music education is an intensive profession and I was blessed to have the greatest colleague," Harris said, pointing to McLellan, "who is still shaping and developing the Belmont music program in truly significant ways."

"I continue to learn from him and we still collaborate. Bill McManus, former Director of Fine Arts, set the bar for quality and leadership. I am thrilled to still have contact with many former students. More than anything else, they made my time here so special and memorable."