Notes of faith
Jazz in the great hall — an expression of passion, study, and faith.
By Logan Brunner | English Educator
Jason Harms walked into church, picked up his trumpet, and began to play. The music wasn’t easily classified, falling into what he would later call a hybrid form of “midwest-gospel type stuff”. For Harms, the genre could have been anything from heavy metal to gregorian chants… that did not matter — it was the pleasure of song that captivated him.
Harms grew up with music in the home, at church, and at school. Music was dripping from his little corner of life… so much so that it came quite naturally. Fascination with melody and song arose at a young age, coming into full-blown passionate excitement in his college days.
In the Harms household music was big, but God was bigger. Encouraged by parents with unwavering faith, Harms quickly became devout in faith, always seeking of God. When reflecting back on his faith, Harms noted that he “can see God’s hand everywhere… and cannot deny it”. Harms saw God everywhere and sought to express just that. Music just happened to be the surrogate.
He “can see God’s hand everywhere… and cannot deny it…”
Harms is now the director of Bethel’s two jazz ensembles and adjunct professor within the music department. His rehearsals hold infamy among past students, mostly for the passionate (and humorous) metaphors on life. Brice Mitchell, a senior English major, noted that Harms would run down the rabbit trail of outlandish metaphors for faith, ways to cook a steak, thoughts on current events, and of course… jazz music.
When he is not conducting or teaching, Harms can usually be found belting out melodic phrases at his office piano. The music emanating from within is newly composed, waiting to be heard in Benson Great Hall. However, the music isn’t all that Harms prepares.
Jazz in the great hall is Harms’ yearly concert of original pieces, combining his melody and song with the words of theologians, poets, and students. The experience created is a look into faith and life, music is again just the surrogate.
“In Christ is the fullness of knowledge,” Harms said. … “If I push on anything but Him, I am but an observer.” At the center of his music, seeking truth in Christ holds firm at the center of Harms’ music. He is currently working on new content.
