Interview with Ken Berg
Grace Church is delighted to announce that Ken Berg has agreed to become our Music Director. Ken is known to many in Birmingham as the director of the Birmingham Boys Choir, which he has led since 1978. For many years he was the Director of Choirs and Fine Arts Chairman at John Carroll Catholic High School, and he has also served as the Music Minister at Mountain Brook Baptist Church.
Bernard Howard asked Ken some questions to help us get to know him:
BERNARD:
Have you always been a Christian? Could you tell us about some of your milestone moments as a follower of Jesus?
KEN:
As long as I can remember, Christianity has been the identifying feature of my life. Probably the first time it achieved “permeating status” was at the birth of our first son. The bulk of my Christian walk has been probably more casual than passionate. I’m trying to outgrow that every day. I’m increasingly thankful for God’s tender mercy, without which I would have no hope at all.
BERNARD:
Could you introduce us to your wife and sons?
KEN:
Absolutely! Susan is from Atlanta. We met the very first day of our freshman year at Samford (August 13, 1973), and we married seven weeks after graduation (July 23, 1977). She was salutatorian of our graduating class. I was… not. Susan operates her piano studio in our house and is a nationally certified piano teacher—she’s pretty amazing! She has been my accompanist since before we were married. She is currently the Church Pianist at Shades Crest Baptist Church and is the Music Associate of the Birmingham Boys Choir.
We have two sons. Michael (42) is married to Joanie. They live in Manhattan where she is an editor for “The Classical Singer” magazine and a lovely singer. (She also tunes pianos!) Michael is a lawyer with Foley and Lardner law firm. How he got into the law is a funny story for another time.
David (39) is the Minister to Children at First Baptist Church, Madison, Alabama! He is fantastic with kids! I am so proud of him. We need more men involved in the spiritual development of our children. He is also a cellist and a very fine tenor.
BERNARD:
Did you start writing music as early as Mozart?
KEN:
No… he was born before I was.
BERNARD:
Who are your favorite composers?
KEN:
I’m currently a big fan of Dr. Skip Stradtman. From the historic category: Bach/Beethoven/Brahms are hard to beat. From the English Cathedral tradition: Parry, Stanford, and Charles Wood are favorites. From the American tradition: Bernstein, Richard Rogers, and maybe Randall Thompson.
BERNARD:
What are your favorite hymns?
KEN:
How much time ya got? In order:
“How Firm A Foundation”
“For All The Saints”
“O Praise Ye The Lord”
“Rock of Ages”
“Come, Labor On!”
“And Can It Be”
“All Creatures of our God and King”
“Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus”
“God of Grace”
“Grace That Is Greater”
And that is just the first 10…
BERNARD:
What are your hopes for our sung worship in Grace Church’s Sunday services?
KEN:
When our Good Lord was establishing acceptable worship from his people, the choir was a prominent feature. One of the first records of choral singing in Western Civilization was from the ancient temple services in Israel. Jesus himself participated in “congregational” singing. To me, the more effort and intentionality we as Christians put into our congregational singing, the more meaningful it becomes to us and the more attractive it becomes to guests/visitors. This can be assisted by setting a good example of the skill and athleticism of good vocal production from the Music Leaders, be they individual or choral. But, the “choir/soloist” should never be the primary musical contribution to worship—at least, not in my mind. That job is assigned to the congregant! It is quite literally the “work of the people.”
As a visitor to Grace Church in recent weeks, I have been impressed/pleased with the involvement of the congregants in the service singing. My fondest wish would be to encourage increasing skill development on the part of the congregation to lift our voices in worship, to make congregational singing an increasingly vital and integral part of our community.
“O praise ye the Lord! Thanksgiving and song
To Him be outpoured all ages along.
For love in creation, for heaven restored,
For grace of salvation; O praise ye the Lord!”