Secondary education At the secondary level, just after studying at
Tanglewood (the summer home of the
Boston Symphony Orchestra), Begian began his tenure as band director at
Detroit's
Cass Technical High School, 1947 through 1964. At Cass Tech, Begian honed his skills as a band director before advancing to the university level after completing his doctorate. He pursued a doctorate and college career at the urging of his mentor at Cass Tech,
Larry Teal of the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Begian also later recounted that Teal had offered to help pay for his degree. Other influences at this time that Begian credited with shaping his approach to music were
William D. Revelli, who showed him that "a band could be a refined musical instrument,"
Leonard Falcone, whose solo playing taught him what musical expression is, and his trumpet teacher, Leonard Smith, principal chair at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, who taught him the importance of accuracy and dynamic control. During Begian's tenure at Cass Tech, the program developed a reputation for excellence and was invited to perform at venues such as the prestigious Mid-West Band Clinic in 1954. The
Library of Congress created a permanent Harry Begian Collection that now houses 26 recordings of Begian's respected Cass Technical High School bands.
Collegiate Following Begian's tenure at Cass Tech, he earned an EdD (Doctor of Education) degree from the
University of Michigan in 1964 (Proquest Dissertations & Theses), and started his college teaching career. After officially retiring, Dr. Begian returned to the world-famous Interlochen Center For The Arts where he had previously served as a faculty member, 1961–1964 and in 1973. Jeffrey S. Kimpton, Interlochen's seventh President, performed in Dr. Begian's University of Illinois Large Symphonic Band (the premiere performing band at the time) as a cornetist during the early 70's. During Begian's tenure at the University of Illinois, he continued the LP recording project established by his predecessor, Mark Hindsley. After his retirement from the University of Illinois, many of the recording of the Symphonic Band under Begian's baton were re-distributed as a set of 20 CDs which are now included in the Begian Collection of the Library of Congress. ==Personal life==