Haskell W. Harr

American percussionist, xylophonist, drum instructor, band director and author. Born June 24, 1894 in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Died September 24, 1986 Glendora, California (102 years of age). Best known as the author of graded method books for rudimental snare drumming and conducted percussion clinics across the U.S. His instruction books have been used extensively in educational institutions. He was elected to the Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame in 1972 in the categories of author, education, radio/television, and rudimental. He attended DePaul University and completed work for his degree of Bachelor of Music Education at the VanderCook College of Music. He played professionally in theater, concert, dance orchestra and band. He organized the Haskell Novelty Trio for radio work and recordings. He was a teacher of percussion instruments for many years. He was the Military Instructor and bandleader at the Glenwood School for Boys as well as bandleader of numerous other groups. He was the Director of Education with the Slingerland Drum Company in Illinois. He was also the head of the Percussion Department of VanderCook College of Music. In addition to the many drums he played, he was an expert on the xylophone.