Harshman will put away his baton as his career with the South Whidbey schools comes to a close
On a recent dreary Wednesday morning, the din of South Whidbey High School and Middle School was punctuated by the bright, brassy sounds emanating from Room 105, where the jazz band warmed up under the direction of Chris Harshman.
“That’s starting to sound really good,” he said at the song’s conclusion.
In about a month, Harshman will put away his conducting baton as his career with the South Whidbey School District comes to a close. After 25 years as the music director for middle school and high school students of South Whidbey, he’s ready for retirement.
In the meantime, catch him at various upcoming school performances, from the Spring Swing Big Band Dance May 10 to the End of the Year Concert May 13 to Jazz Night at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts on May 21. View the list of events and their start times on the South Whidbey Performing Arts Boosters’ website, southwhidbeyperformingarts.com. Tickets to the WICA event can be purchased online in advance at wicaonline.org.
A retirement party is planned for 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, June 1 at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds Pole Building. Bring a finger food to the community celebration for sharing. An after-party at WICA will follow, where tickets will be required.
Growing up in a musical family, it was pretty clear to Harshman from the beginning where his focus in life should be. Both of his brothers were band directors, and they all studied music education at Central Washington University together.
He taught at schools around the Seattle area until coming to South Whidbey in 2000, when he took over as director of the Langley Middle School jazz band. In 2006, he assumed the additional role as the director of the South Whidbey High School jazz band.
“It’s really cool to work with these little humans who are so full of possibility, of potential,” he said.
Under Harshman’s steady direction, band students have gone on to compete in national festivals, such as the Essentially Ellington Festival in New York City, which he referred to as “the Super Bowl for high school jazz.” His students often compete against schools four times the size of South Whidbey.
“At this school, whether you’re 14 or 18, you’re all in the same band and we find a way to make this work,” Harshman said. “And every year they sound really good.”
Jacque King, a parent of a 16-year-old band student, said Harshman is a quintessential example of great devotion to his students.
“The thing that’s so incredibly important to me is that he gives the kids a great sense of their own humanity and a great sense of purpose and value and community belonging,” King said. “I think that’s especially important for teenagers.”
She recalled one of the first concerts she attended, where her daughter was playing the flute. Before the performance, the kids were goofing around but it didn’t seem to upset Harshman, who just smiled and asked if they were having fun.
“So many teachers would be annoyed at the kids fooling around, but he always had such beautiful rapport with them,” King said.
For Harshman, one of his favorite things as a teacher has been drawing kids out of the margins and showing them what they’re capable of doing.
“Band is like a vehicle,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to work with students about where they are now and what does it take to get to that next place.”
King saw this firsthand in her daughter, who was encouraged by Harshman to play bass in addition to the flute.
“He can see the potential in a student and pull them into a greater place,” King said.
Harshman has witnessed many challenges with the music program over the years, from practicing at home during the COVID-19 pandemic to funding cuts that eliminated fifth grade band.
“The program really needs an infusion of financial support, but there doesn’t seem to be a place to put that,” he said. “It’s been frustrating. It doesn’t show up in the bonds, it doesn’t show up in the new building, modernization we’re doing. It’s like, when do we take care of this equipment that has not been replaced for over 30 years?”
Harshman has been doing the bulk of the instrument repairs himself, though he acknowledged some fixes are beyond his capability.
He leaves behind a highly coveted position; he has heard there are over 40 applicants for the role of music director.
“I just hope we can find someone as wonderful as him,” King said.
In retirement, Harshman plans to spend a month traveling in Europe with his wife. He’ll also help his son, Keegan, with this summer’s Little BIG Fest and his Langley shop, Blue Sound Music.
“I want to be more active in supporting adult music education in the community,” Harshman said.
He plays in the Saratoga Orchestra. His main instrument, and what he did his highest training on, is the bassoon, though he also plays saxophone and all the woodwinds.
For many of his students, Harshman’s leaving has struck a chord.
Junior Olin Nelson, who plays baritone saxophone, said he was initially skeptical about South Whidbey’s band program when he transferred over from a much bigger school on the mainland. He came to admire the mutual respect that Harshman fosters in the band room and marveled at his ability to create a band that flows together.
“Honestly, I don’t think this program would have survived the way it has through that COVID experience if it weren’t for him, because of his dedication, the amount of time he puts in for all the bands,” Nelson said.
Tula Williams, a freshman who plays clarinet and tenor saxophone, echoed this sentiment.
“He’ll come here early and stay late and he helps people fix their instruments,” Williams said. “He’ll stay with a student to help them learn a part.”
Sophomore Ravyn Canty considers Harshman as being like another father figure.
“It’s gonna be really hard to see him go and continue with band afterwards,” the tenor saxophonist said. “But I’m looking forward to it.”
Canty added, “I feel like he’s definitely shaped who I am. Band’s kind of something that I really enjoy and he’s made it really fun over the years. This is one of the few classes that I find even if it’s tiresome and it takes a lot of your energy, he makes it fun.”
The music director shares a light moment with saxophonist Liam Watkins. (Photo by David Welton)
Chris Harshman works with eighth grader Emma-Tara Lee on her voice skills before singing “Rolling in the Deep.” (Photo by David Welton)
Freshman Luci Helm, left, on the drums and sophomore Solomon Hilliard plays the congas. (Photo by David Welton)
From right, freshman Tula Williams, junior Liam Watkins, sophomores Schuyler Wheat, Beckett Walsh and Chris Bunch all play the clarinet. (Photo by David Welton)
The music director shares a light moment with saxophonist Liam Watkins. (Photo by David Welton)
Chris Harshman works with eighth grader Emma-Tara Lee on her voice skills before singing “Rolling in the Deep.” (Photo by David Welton)
Freshman Luci Helm, left, on the drums and sophomore Solomon Hilliard plays the congas. (Photo by David Welton)
From right, freshman Tula Williams, junior Liam Watkins, sophomores Schuyler Wheat, Beckett Walsh and Chris Bunch all play the clarinet. (Photo by David Welton)
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Harshman will put away his baton as his career with the South Whidbey schools comes to a close
