Mare Berger, Director of Music at HCC
In October 2023 we welcomed Mare Berger as our director of music.
Mare has a dynamic and impressive musical career.
She started playing piano at age 4. She attended Indiana University, studying jazz piano, and went on to receive an M.A. at William Paterson University in composition and jazz arranging. She is the recipient of numerous awards, has composed songs and pieces for a variety of instruments, and has a new album out, “The Moon Is Always Full.” For more on her extensive musical background, CLICK HERE.
What they’re saying about singing – a few testimonials from choir members:
IIt’s very simple. I love to sing and, every Wednesday and Sunday for the past 17 years, I get to sing with a group I call family. The choir members come and go but the music and the sanctuary create a sacred place where, just like Sunday service, we shed our outer lives and enter a time of community through song. Our new Music Director, Adam Simon, brings a new and wonderful wealth of music from Ukranian folks songs, Amish sounding a cappella old hymns and fun rearranged chestnuts that make everyone want to sing along. “Those who sing, pray twice” and, with Adam’s leadership, we get to share our collective divinity no matter the size of the choir. I truly believe that our church choir provides a source of joy and a foundation to reconnect with God that helps us through our daily lives from week to week. — Susan Farrell
I stuck my worthiness issues in my back pocket and showed up for choir practice one Wednesday night. I’ve being going ever since. While a few members of the choir are very talented, most of us just love to sing. Singing together makes us better singers. Learning wonderful music and learning to sing harmony makes us better singers. Singing anthems for the congregation make us better singers. I’m still not entirely certain of my Christianity. But I am entirely certain that the fun, welcome, and joy I experience are God-given offerings manifested by the singers our little choir. So if, like me, you worry about not being good enough, stick that fear in your back pocket and join us some Wednesday night. You might be surprised. – Pat James
Joy, joy. I have almost unimaginable joy when I sing with the choir! A great gift ! – Ellen Tobiassen