Bernie Asher
Choir Director
Bernhard “Bernie” Asher followed a call to become a cantor — a leader of the people’s song —after a lifetime as a percussionist, and a career in Information Technology.
Bernie earned a Master of Sacred Music degree in Choral Conducting from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. A cooperative program between Luther Seminary and St. Olaf College, Bernie studied with Paul Westermeyer, Anton Armstrong, Christopher Aspaas, and James Bobb.
Bernie has directed choirs and led congregations in song since 2012 in the Twin Cities, and came to St. Luke’s in 2021.
Bernie believes that anyone can sing when given the opportunity and encouragement. He embraces Martin Luther’s principle that “next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise,” and St. Augustine’s observation that “whoever sings [to God in worship] prays twice.” Bernie has experienced the transformative power of music in everything from Renaissance motets to Hip-Hop settings of the Psalms.
Bernie lives in Minneapolis, MN, with his wife, and enjoys singing hymns and telling “Dad” jokes to his two adult children.
Bernie earned a Master of Sacred Music degree in Choral Conducting from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. A cooperative program between Luther Seminary and St. Olaf College, Bernie studied with Paul Westermeyer, Anton Armstrong, Christopher Aspaas, and James Bobb.
Bernie has directed choirs and led congregations in song since 2012 in the Twin Cities, and came to St. Luke’s in 2021.
Bernie believes that anyone can sing when given the opportunity and encouragement. He embraces Martin Luther’s principle that “next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise,” and St. Augustine’s observation that “whoever sings [to God in worship] prays twice.” Bernie has experienced the transformative power of music in everything from Renaissance motets to Hip-Hop settings of the Psalms.
Bernie lives in Minneapolis, MN, with his wife, and enjoys singing hymns and telling “Dad” jokes to his two adult children.