Although the school timetable was naturally dominated by formal academic subjects, there was still time for enjoyment; and, for many pupils, this meant their weekly visit to the music room. From the earliest days of the school, classes spent at least one period a week under the benevolent but critical gaze of Frank Sharp, the visiting music instructor. Many tributes have been paid to his talent and inventiveness and former pupils - even those far from musical - have recalled the way in which he converted potentially tedious exercises into a source of pleasure.

When the Harris first opened in 1885, Mr Sharp formed a choir and within a year it was ready to make its first public performance. These concerts became an annual event, with each year seeing a more ambitious programme being performed until, on Christmas Eve, 1889 a fine performance of the "Messiah" was given in the Kinnaird Hall by the joint choirs of Harris and Morgan Academies. The long hours of practice necessary to attain such a standard soon brought official recognition:

One day the Royal Commission on Secondary Schools visited the Harris Academy. They asked to hear the singing. Sight-singing tests in both notations were set and sung from the blackboard. After that, the question was asked - "What songs do you sing"? On naming the songs, I added that we also sang the treble and the alto parts of the "Messiah". One of the commissioners, with something like a start, said "What! Not Handel's `Messiah'?" On being told that such was the case, he asked to hear "For unto us". This was followed with "His Yoke is Easy" and finally we gave them the "Hallelujah" and "Amen". In their report to Parliament, the commissioners stated "that the singing in this school was probably unsurpassed in Europe". When I read this from "The Times", the pupils from the time felt more than a little proud.

The pupils had a further opportunity to display their talents at the annual closing exhibition where the presentation of prizes was preceded by a selection of musical items. The highlight of this performance was an ear-test competition in which large numbers of pupils took part. Modern pupils may find it a little difficult to believe that the audience became thoroughly absorbed in this contest and that "it was with keen interest that we watched the row get smaller and smaller as the exercises increased in difficulty" but nevertheless the victor was assured of a "perfect ovation".

One feature of the closing exhibition which would be familiar, however, is the singing of the Harris Holiday Song. Based on the music of J. More Smieton, with words from the pen of the Rector, Dr Brebner, it was first performed in 1897 when the audience agreed that there was "a go and liveliness about both words and music which ensured its immediate success". Not everyone shared this enthusiasm, however. Prime among those opposed to the Holiday Song was the second Rector, James Barry Robb, who went so far as to have an entirely new song written to replace the original work. This has survived the passing years but will be unfamiliar to all but a few former pupils:

There are seasons for reading and writing

And seasons for dealing with sums.

There are times when with French we are fighting

And that without beating of drums;

But the season we all of us treasure

Comes in when the roses are nigh,

When to school and its pain and its pleasure

We bid for a while a good-bye.

Good-bye, good-bye!

Good-bye to our books and ink-fountains!

Good-bye to our lessons and lore!

Sing ho! for the heather-clad mountains,

Sing hey! for the wave-beaten shore.

Throughout the latter part of the school year, pupils were drilled in this new version in order to perform it at the closing exhibition. All did not go as planned! Many former pupils had occupied the seats in the balcony and at the rear of the hall and, when the choir began to sing the new version, they attempted to drown it out by singing the traditional refrain at the top of their voices. The result, not surprisingly, was total confusion. Barry Robb had to admit defeat and the following year's closing ceremony ended with the traditional version -  the same song that is sung today.

Sport also occupied an important place in the life of the school from its earliest days. Much of the credit for this must be given to the first Rector who was himself a keen mountaineer and a strong believer in the importance of physical fitness. His enthusiasm was soon demonstrated for, within a month of the opening of the school, he tried to enlist the support of Dundee School Board:

I am anxious that a football club be formed among the boys, for the purpose of fostering that desirable esprit de corps which is always lacking in a new school.

His request for financial aid to help finance such an undertaking was rejected by the Board but this was merely a temporary setback. Shortly afterwards, a boys football club was indeed formed and daily practices were held at Rollo's Pier (Magdalen Yard Green) between 3.30 and 4.30 p.m.

A similar interest was shown in other sports. An annual swimming competition was established for a challenge cup generously donated by J. Martin White of Balruddery. Silver medals were awarded for proficiency in physical exercises, although the various prize categories - musical drill, hoop drill, Japanese fan-song, dumb-bells, Indian clubs and barbells - might seem rather sedate to present-day youngsters. The lack of a proper hall was one reason for physical exercises being so limited in scope but this was remedied in 1891 when arrangements were made for pupils to attend the new public gymnasium in Ward Road. Within a year, regular awards were made for gymnastics, including the rather more strenuous pursuits of vaulting, parallel and horizontal bars. These competitions were open to both boys and girls, although many girls had more than a little difficulty in obtaining permission to take part:

It was something of a triumph for us in those days to get permission to attend a real gymnastic class. Girls who did that were bold. It wasn't quite decent to be dressed in knickers and tunic!

The need to go outside the school buildings for such activities seemed to have ended in 1908 when the school was extended and a new central hall "fitted with modern appliances for Swedish gymnastics" was built. This solution was only temporary, however, for within a few years H.M. Inspectors found these facilities inadequate and recommended that the school should once more use the gymnasium nearby.

Meanwhile, the number of sports clubs within the school was growing and, by the early twentieth century, catered for football, hockey, athletics, golf, swimming and water polo. The venues for such sports were many and widespread. For the boys, football was commonly played on the "Coup" and cricket in Baxter Park or Lochee Park, while the girls' hockey side found a home in Victoria Park. Athletics were fitted in at one or other of these venues during the summer.

In view of the lack of facilities, it is perhaps no surprise that the school's sporting record was far from distinguished. Great was the rejoicing in 1913 when Harris won the Dundee School Sports at Dens Park - a victory made all the sweeter by relegating arch-rivals Morgan into second place. Hopes of continued success were soon dashed, however, when Harris was well beaten in the following year by Hawkhill, an elementary school. This setback was soon followed by a second disappointment. The football club had been having its most successful season since its foundation and pupils eagerly anticipated victory in the cup. Wins over Rosebank, Hawkhill, Liff Road and Dudhope saw the side through to the final only to see their hopes dashed - inevitably by the Morgan.

These minor successes could not disguise the general lack of sporting prowess in the school, a situation sadly reported by the Former Pupils Association:

The members who had been inquiring into the condition of sport in the school had a discouraging report to make. In spite of a few enthusiasts, girls mostly, athletics and sport are at a very low ebb in the school, great difficulty being experienced in raising football and cricket teams. Members of Committee, who recalled the keen competition for places, even in the second elevens, were amazed that such things should be. The Committee deplored this state of affairs and desired to minute their disappointment and regret.

To rectify such a situation, drastic action was necessary. The school must acquire a private sports ground of its own.

There will be many former pupils who can recall the fund-raising efforts of the time. Everyone played their part, from prominent former pupils to children in the infant department bringing in their penny a week to swell the playing field fund. After almost ten years, a major sale of work in 1923 finally saw the target achieved:

The magnificent total attained made it possible for us to acquire a sports ground which, not only in terms of suitability, but also in that of natural beauty, is one of the chief assets of the Harris Academy.

Present-day pupils might have a little difficulty in recognising Elliot Road from this description but the many generations of pupils who benefited from its use would probably agree with the Rector of the time, Mr Barry Robb, that its opening was "a milestone in the history of the school".

While the lack of facilities made it difficult for the pupils of Park Place to attain sporting excellence, there were nevertheless a few individuals who managed to make their mark in their chosen sport. Robert Harris, who left school in the early 1890s, was a notable golfer, being runner-up in the amateur championship in 1913 and 1923 before finally winning the title in 1925 and representing Great Britain against America in the Walker Cup. Golf also provides another example in the shape of Frank Scroggie, Scottish Golf Champion at an earlier date.

Swimming, then as now, was a source of pride for Harris pupils with Johnston Craig, Jack Humphries and Sandy Craig outstanding, winning Scottish titles at both swimming and diving. The football club provided several players of considerable talent, the outstanding example being Bob Peden who was an amateur internationalist. While the numbers gaining national recognition were small, many others distinguished themselves at a local level. For the rest, sport brought no honours beyond the honour of representing the school but there is nevertheless little doubt that, for generations of pupils, sport at the Harris was a source of pleasure and a welcome break from the rigours of the classroom.