Lee Harrelson is a Professor of Music at Missouri Western State University. At Missouri Western, he serves as the Director of Instrumental Studies and Bands, low brass specialist, and conducts the Missouri Western Symphonic Winds. Dr. Harrelson has also served on the faculties of the University of Kansas, the University of Central Missouri, and the UMKC Conservatory. Dr. Harrelson attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied music education and performance before completing his masters and doctorate at the UMKC Conservatory.

Dr. Harrelson is the founder of the Fountain City Brass Band and currently serves as its artistic director, executive director, and principal euphoniumist. The Fountain City Brass Band is one of America’s premiere brass and percussion ensembles and has been featured throughout the U.S. and Europe in concerts, festivals, and competitions.

Dedicated to furthering the development of brass bands in America, Dr. Harrelson, along with his wife Helen, founded the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy in 2009, which regularly serves 120 students per year, and in 2019, the National Youth Brass Band of America. After serving three years as the executive director of the U.S. Open Brass Band Championships, in 2022, Dr. Harrelson founded the US Masters Brass Band Entertainment Championships.

In the fall of 2019, Dr. Harrelson was awarded the first-ever Visiting International Professor position with the world-famous Brighouse & Rastrick Band. In addition to collaborating with and conducting the band, Dr. Harrelson worked closely with Professor David King during preparations for the band’s appearances at the British Open and the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

Dr. Harrelson can be heard on numerous commercially released recordings and has appeared throughout North America and Europe as a clinician, soloist, and chamber musician. He is a Besson/Buffet Crampon performing artist.