On this Listen page you will find a mixture of things: a sampling of some of my musical compositions, excerpts from some of my own performances (relatively recent ones as well as from the more distant past) – with a few performance by my voice students — and a few representatives examples of the interviews I do on my daily radio program “The Morning Show” on WGTD FM 91.1 and wgtd.org. Happy Listening!
The Gift to Sing
Here is a recording of my composition "The Gift to Sing," which was commissioned by William and Carolyn Kobler in honor of their 50th class reunion at Luther College. (This is just a bootleg recording
King Jesus Hath a Garden
One of the songs that the Lincoln Chamber Singers performed for the Carthage Christmas Festival was my arrangement of the Dutch carol "King Jesus Hath a Garden." As you probably know, Holland is renowned for
Come and Heal our Hurting World
When I heard that the theme for the 2020 Carthage Christmas Festival was "Come, with Healing in Thy Wings" I set about to compose a song for the Lincoln Chamber Singers that would fold into
The Winter’s Rose
This is "The Winter's Rose," which is a new musical setting of a text I wrote some years ago for a piece titled "The Winter and the Rose." It springs from one of my favorite
Shepherds & Lasses
This is an arrangement I made of the Catalan carol "Salten y Ballen" - "Shepherds and Lasses." I have been told that the original song is not really associated with Christmas at all - but
Lo, how a Rose
Here is a recording of the Lincoln Chamber Singers performing the exquisite Christmas hymn "Lo, how a Rose e'er Blooming" by Michael Praetorius for the 2019 Christmas Festival "Light & Life to All."
Born to Bring Peace – Christmas Festival 2018
This is my most recent composition for the Lincoln Chamber Singers. So small the stable- so dark the night- but up in the sky shines so brilliant a light. Follow that star and a Babe
Den store vide flok – 2018 Voice Recital
This Norwegian hymn is among the most beautiful and moving hymns ever written - both musically and textually. It describes the heavenly host singing triumphant anthems and waving palm branches. It has been a very
Precious – 2018 Voice Recital
"Precious" is my setting of a beautiful text from Isaiah 43: "See I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine. You are precious in my sight and I love you."
“Still Today” – 2018 Voice Recital
I ended my "Songs my mother taught me" faculty recital with this song composed in honor of my mom, who she was, and what was most important to her. Born into the Great
Excerpts from Gigi – 2018 Recital
One of the people to whom I paid tribute on my recital was the renowned lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, best known for penning the book and lyrics to such towering Broadway classics as My Fair
“Somewhere” – from my 2018 Recital
The first half of my recital was devoted to honoring some important figures in music such as Leonard Bernstein, who was born 100 years ago this year. No tribute to Bernstein would be complete without
The First Nowell- with Weston Noble
I am so fortunate to have three-fold memories of making music with the legendary Weston Noble: from my undergraduate days (1978-1982), from his year in residency with the Carthage Choir (2007-2008 - and brief return
Bright, New Love
This is my newest Christmas composition. I wrote it for my Lincoln Chamber Singers for this year's Christmas Festival, "From Heaven Above." Because composer Jocelyn Hagen had been commissioned to write a piece based on
We are God’s Children Now
This is a tradition at Holy Communion every All Saints Sunday. This anthem of mine is melodically based on the first phrase of the great hymn "For all the Saints." The choir sings it during
Refuge and Strength
This is a setting I composed of Psalm 46 - "God is our refuge and strength" - which is one of the traditional readings for Reformation Day. It is sung here by the Senior Choir
To Sing God’s Praise
In the fall of 1987, I was back at Luther for my 5th year reunion. I'm pretty sure it was at the Saturday morning homecoming parade that I bumped into Weston Noble, who was sweet
“Hush”
A beautiful song by a very talented Luther graduate named Ben Larson. Ben lost his life in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti - but not before creating all kinds of moving songs like this one.
Morning Show interview with Starbuck’s Howard Behar
I don't think I fully appreciated at the time what a privilege it was for me to be able to record an interview with Howard Behar, a past president of Starbucks. I think part
Trumpeter Christopher Martin- Pt. Two
Here is part two of the phone interview I did several years ago with Christopher Martin, who was named principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony back in 2005. It was just announced that he has
Trumpeter Christopher Martin
Trumpeter Christopher Martin, principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony since 2005, has resigned his position with the CSO in order to become principal trumpet with the New York Philharmonic. I had the great pleasure of
Interview with Weston Noble- Part 5
This is the fifth section of my 2007 radio interview with Weston Noble. I ask him to talk about Nordic's place in the grand tradition of Lutheran collegiate choral music- and I also ask him
Interview with Weston Noble- Part 4
This is part four of my radio interview with Weston Noble from back in 2007. In this portion of the conversation, he continues comparing and contrasting his work with choirs vs. bands, and explains why
Interview with Weston Noble- Part 3
Here is the third part of my radio interview with Weston Noble, recorded back in 2007. In this portion of the interview, he talks about returning to his alma mater - Luther College in Decorah,
Interview with Weston Noble – Part Two
This is part two of my interview with Weston Noble, which we recorded back in the fall of 2007, in the midst of the year he spent as conductor-in-residence of the Carthage Choir. In this
Interview with Weston Noble – #1
This is the opening of my 2007 radio interview with Weston Noble. It is in this portion of his interview that he talks about his childhood. (More excerpts to follow.) The musical excerpt
2016 Recital- My Dad Talks about Florence
I asked my dad to say a few words about Love for my recent faculty recital- and he surprised me when he said that he wanted to say a few words about Florence Foster Jenkins.
2016 Recital- Shower the People
My faculty voice recital was not only in honor of our 25th wedding anniversary- but it was also an opportunity to acknowledge 25th anniversary of the first time that Kathy and I sang with Kate
2016 Recital- I got the sun in the morning
Here is a fun moment from my most recent faculty voice recital sung on September 11, 2016- "Love Changes Everything: 400 Years of Love in Song." Since Kathy and I were to celebrate our
Caritas- “I Believe in a Place Called Hope”
This is from our album "How Sweet the Sound." The singers are Kate Potter-Barrow, Kathy Berg, Chip McCrary, and Greg Berg. The words of the refrain are: I believe in a place called Hope
Morning Show: Eileen Farrell
I have had some thrilling moments in my years of doing the Morning Show at WGTD, but I'm not sure anything quite equals the thrill I had of doing a phone interview with one of
The Jane Song
I have been known to write and sing a few goof ball songs in my day - and here's the most recent. It's a little ditty I composed for the farewell dinner/program for my Carthage
“To Joy” (Gerald Finzi)- sung by Austin Merschdorf
This is a performance from the most recent Honors Recital at Carthage- May 15, 2016. One of my sophomore voice students, Austin Merschdorf sang three songs by Gerald Finzi …. each one related in one
Caritas sings “His Eye is on the Sparrow”
Charles Gabriel's "His Eye is on the Sparrow" is a beautiful song that I first encountered it many years ago when I heard Ethel Waters sing it for a televised Billy Graham Crusade. As much
Caritas sings “Rest”
At the recent funeral of Gary Green, a beloved former member of Holy Communion, Caritas was asked to sing several songs that the Greens had listened to during Gary's final days. One of them was
Black September – Final moments
These are the final moments of "Black September." The words are by Matt Boresi. The music is by me (with certain passages based on the main theme from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.) The killing of the
Greg & Steve Berg Sing a Duet!
Nancy Honeytree's song "Live for Jesus" - as sung by Greg & Steve Berg way back in 1982.
The Mikado- Scene with Katisha/ Tit-Willow
This is an excerpt from a Mikado performance I did opposite a Milwaukee legend: mezzo soprano Marlys Greinke.
“His Eye is on the Sparrow”
From many years ago, a duet I sang with Aaron Palmer at his church.
Nic Sluss-Rodionov: It is Enough
My former voice student Nic Sluss-Rodionov sings a beautiful aria from "Elijah."
Kaj & Randi Sing “Amahl”
Several excerpts from Menotti's "Amahl & the Night Visitors" sung informally by my sister Randi and her then-very-young son Kaj.
I know that my Redeemer Liveth – 2015
Here's one more moment from the most recent Sing Along Messiah at Kenosha's First United Methodist Church - the magnificent soprano aria "I know that my Redeemer Liveth" sung beautifully by Jennifer Hansen.
Thus Saith the Lord/ But who may Abide 2015
An excerpt from Mike Anderle's performance in the 2015 Sing Along Messiah.
Comfort ye/ Every Valley 2015
An excerpt from Nick Huff's performance in the 2015 Sing Along Messiah.
But Who May Abide – Luther 1981
My "Messiah" solo from my senior year at Luther College- 1981.
The Trumpet Shall Sound – Mike Anderle ’15
An excerpt from Mike Anderle's performance at the 2015 Sing Along Messiah.
Thou Shalt Break Them / Nick Huff ’15
An excerpt from Nick Huff's performance in the 2015 Sing Along Messiah.
Auld lang syne
My performance of "Auld lang syne" at the 2015 Kenosha Pops Band Christmas Concert.
Do Not Awaken the Sleeping Little Baby
A Christmas anthem I composed in 1999.
The Child Named Jesus
This is the very first Greg Berg composition that was sung at Carthage - aside from an arrangement of the hymn "Cold December Flies Away." I don't remember the precise year, but I know
Thus Saith the Lord/ But Who May Abide
Our bass soloist for the upcoming Sing Along Messiah in Kenosha is Mike Anderle. I was Mike's voice teacher through all four years of his high school career plus his four years at Carthage -
Comfort ye- Every Valley
One of the greatest musical thrills I get to experience, year after year, is when I conduct Kenosha's Sing Along Messiah at First United Methodist Church in Kenosha. This year's Messiah is coming up
O Holy Night (Nick & Mike)
This is Adolphe Adam's "O Holy Night" as performed by Nick Huff and Mike Anderle- with the first verse sung in its original French. Enjoy.
O Holy Night (Matt and Austin)
Here is Adolphe Adam's as sung by two of my Carthage voice students, Austin Merschdorf and Matt Burton (both sophomore).
Jeg er so glad
Here are the Lincoln Chamber Singers performing my arrangement of the Norwegian Christmas carol "Jeg er so glad" - with the first verse in Norwegian. (Thanks to goddaughter, Anneka Barrow, for some much needed tutoring
O Lumine (O Splendid Light)
This is a new composition of mine that the Chamber Singers performed on this most recent Christmas Festival. It's actually an extensive reworking of an earlier work of mine, called "Weary the World." This recording
Mother’s Love (Caritas)
Here is another recording of my song "Mother's Love" by Caritas: which consists of myself, Kathy, Kate Potter-Barrow, and Chip McCrary. This is from our Christmas CD "Great and Glorious Light."
Mother’s Love
I composed this song in 1998 to mark the 10th anniversary of my mom's death. I badly wanted to write something in her memory, but I think my own sense of urgency about it created
Great & Glorious Light
Here is the earliest recording I have of my song "Great and Glorious Light." It's with the Chamber Singers .... and the two soloists are Nick Barootian and Caleb Sjogren. It's interesting to hear
Biebl “Ave Maria”
From the Carthage Christmas Festival 1999 - the Carthage Choir sings the exquisite setting of 'Ave Maria' by Franz Biebl. I vividly remember hearing this piece for the first time on a Chanticleer concert
Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep
Here's another fun moment from the 1999 Carthage Christmas Festival, for old time's sake. The concert opened with the Carthage Choir men singing "Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow" from the back balcony. After a brief
“Rise Up, Shepherds, and Follow”
In anticipation of this coming weekend's Christmas Festival at Carthage, I'm going to post a couple of my own favorite moments. This one comes from December 1999 - which is back in the days when
Cinderella Medley
Here's a fun moment from my Junior Voice Recital, which I sang back in the fall of 1980 with classmate Annette Kirkpatrick (now Annette de la Torre.) Annette was a very assured and expressive singer
Popular/Side by Side
The day I'm posting this (November 25th) is the 11th birthday of my lovely niece Lorelai. In honor of that occasion, I thought it would be fun to share this fun moment from my 2013
Mercy and Love
My song "Mercy and Love" springs from the Bible story of Jesus healing the ten lepers- only one of whom thought to return the Jesus to offer Him thanks. I composed this song back in
MS- Fannie Flagg
Here is an interview I recorded some years ago with best-selling author Fannie Flagg. Those of us who are old enough remember her from her delightful appearances on "Candid Camera" and "Match Game" - but
Clock of the Years
This amazing song is by 20th century British composer Gerald Finzi and comes from his song set Earth and Air and Rain, featuring poetry by Thomas Hardy. In this fascinating text, a man approaches
Schroeder & Lucy
Here's a fun moment from my faculty recital from several years ago. This is the piece with which I began the second half of the program. It's a song from "You're a Good Man, Charlie
Shepherds, Shake Off …
Nothing like a Christmas song on a snowy day like today. This is my arrangement of the carol "Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep" for treble voices - and this was a performance of
I Remember it Well
Here's a little something sung by my wife Kathy and me. A lot of people seem to assume that our life is one long love duet - and while we love each other very much,
MS: Jeff Gammage “China Ghosts”
My brother Steve and his partner Scott adopted their wonderful son Henry from Cambodia. That's one big reason why I have long been fascinated by the experience of overseas adoption- which is why I was
I hear an Army
This is a stupendous song from 20th century composer Samuel Barber - and this performance of it comes from my graduate voice recital in the spring of 1984. I sang three Barber settings of
“You are Love” – A.H.S. Showboat
This is one of the most precious mementos I have - because it's one of my only singing samples dating all the way back to high school. This is a snippet from Atlantic High
Why do I love you
Here's another encore from my Luther senior recital in 1981- my friend Amy Nichols and I singing a duet from Jerome Kern's "Showboat," which we sang when we were classmates at Atlantic High School.
Praise to the Lord- 75th CC Gala
Not long ago, I came across the recording of the 75th anniversary gala concert of the Carthage College, from the spring of 2001. We organized a weekend event in which alumni of the choir
Amy Nichols & Me: “So in Love”
This is a real blast from the past for me- it's the final encore of my senior voice recital at Luther College back in mid-November 1981. (It doesn't seem possible that this was 34 years
Boatman Dance (Aaron Copland)
Recently, I came across the recording of the joint faculty voice recital that I did with my colleague and friend Amy Haines. The year was 2004. She sang Ned Rorem (definitely doing the heavy
In Paradisum (Short Requiem)
Here is the final movement of my "Short Requiem." Almost the entire work is in the uncommon time signature of 5/4. I did that because the work was composed tin memory of someone who had
Short Requiem- “Kyrie”
Here's another movement from my Short Requiem, commissioned several years ago by the Waterford High School Choirs and their director, Derek Machan. To set this text, I envisioned the liturgical chants- one might almost
When the Boys Come Home
On this Veterans Day, I wanted to post this recording of me singing an amazing song titled "When the Boys Come Home." I included this on my 2014 faculty voice recital, which commemorated the 200th
Short Requiem: Requiem Aeternam
Here is the opening movement of my Short Requiem, as performed at my 25th anniversary concert "Streams of Mercy Never Ceasing" at Holy Communion Lutheran Church. This piece was sung by the combined forces
MS- Searching for Mary Poppins
I am in the midst of rehearsals for the Racine Theater Guild's production of "Mary Poppins," which is why this Morning Show interview from a few years back came to mind. Nancy Davis's fascinating book
Pie Jesu (from my Short Requiem)
Several years ago, Derek Machan, the choral director at Waterford High School, commissioned me to compose a new requiem in memory of his good friend Kris Noveaus, the choir director at Union Grove High School,
Morning Show- Alan Alda
It was an incredible thrill for me to speak with actor Alan Alda, even though I was never an especially rabid fan of the television series M*A*S*H*. Despite my mixed feelings about the show, I
MS- The granddaughter of Gandhi
This is an excerpt from the interview I was able to record with Usha Gandhi during her visit to southeastern Wisconsin several years ago for a Bridges of Peace event. It was an extraordinary honor
MS- Bob Newhart
Here is a fun one from the Morning Show archives: my conversation with comedian Bob Newhart. I would have loved to have talked with him all day long, but even a few minutes with such
MS- Roy Thomas (Marvel Comics)
It's not been often that I've been able to do Morning Show interviews about comic books- but this is one of those occasions. Roy Thomas was one of the right-hand men for the legendary
Morning Show- Steve Wozniak
It's an inescapable reality that when it comes to booking radio guests, there is typically an inverse relationship between the fame of the guest and the amount of time they will yield for an interview.
Bill Hayes Excerpt
Here is an excerpt from a lengthy interview which I conducted recently with Bill Hayes, a fine singer whose resume included a starry role in the original Broadway cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Me and Juliet"
Morning Show- Henrietta Welch
This is a portion of the interview I recorded with a legend in music education here in Southeastern Wisconsin- Henrietta Welch, who was 100 years old at the time of this conversation. (This coming Christmas
Morning Show- Jimmy Carter
I've had some thrilling experiences in my 20-some years of doing the Morning Show, but if I had to single out one thrill above all the others, it was when I had the privilege of
Nic Sluss-Rodionov sings Verdi
This aria is "Il lacerato spirito" and it comes from the prologue to Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Simon Boccanegra." The character of Jacopo Fiesco has just discovered that his beloved daughter has died - and
Nic Sluss Rodionov sings Ravel
Nic Sluss-Rodionov lived for a time in France and spoke French beautifully, so it's no surprise that he sings two of the Don Quichotte Songs of Maurice Ravel will exceptional grace and skill.
Nic Sluss-Rodionov sings Schubert II
It's hard not to feel a special chill when listening to my former student Nic Sluss-Rodionov sing Schubert's "Death and the Maiden." This song is very seldom sung by male singers, but I love how
Nic Sluss-Rodionov sings Schubert
Here is another excerpt from the senior recital of bass-baritone Nic Sluss-Rodionov. He had a deep and rich affinity with the Lieder of Franz Schubert and I especially love the way he sang "Der
Nic Sluss-Rodionov sings Leporello
I regret that my former student Nic Sluss-Rodionov never had the chance to perform the role of Leporello in a full performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni. He would have been absolutely perfect in the part.
Nic Sluss-Rodionov sings “Messiah”
This is from the senior voice recital of Nicholas Sluss-Rodionov, a former voice student of mine who was killed in a car accident earlier this year; He was 33 years old. His recital was chock
The Suicide Index- Morning Show
I am posting this on the last day of September because this month has been Suicide Awareness Month. Over the last twenty-plus years I have done a number of Morning Show interviews on the topic
Peter Gelb from the Met
Here is a Morning Show interview from the archives that preserves one of the most exciting experiences I've ever had with the show. Ten years ago, the Metropolitan Opera undertook a project that helped to
Where is Love – 2015 Voice Recital
Here is a beautiful song from Lionel Bart's "Oliver" and a performance of it by Caritas- Kate Potter Barrow, Kathy (my wife) and me. I suspect that it had been at least five years since
So in Love- 2015 Voice Recital
This is one of two love duets I sang with my wife, Kathy. As I say in my spoken introduction, she sang this at the end of every performance of the RTG's production of "Glorious"
Fear No More – Recital 2015
My 2015 voice recital was dedicated to 400 years worth of love songs. The one moment when I stepped away from that theme was when I sang a song in memory of a former voice
“White Dresses” – Mary Pflum Peterson
Mary Pflum Peterson is a producer for ABC's Good Morning, America - and used to work for CNN. Unbeknownst to anyone who knew her or worked with her, Peterson grew up in a complicated
Buzz Bissinger – “Friday Night Lights”
I've had the privilege of speaking with best-selling author Buzz Bissinger on two previous occasions, but I was especially thrilled to be able to speak with him - at a great length - about his
“Dark Days” D. Randall Blythe
Here is a portion of my conversation with heavy metal artist D. Randall Blythe, lead singer for the band 'lamb of god.' This is one of those cases in which I was decidedly out of
Ich liebe dich – 2015 Recital
When it came time to introduce Beethoven's "Ich liebe dich" ("I love you") I decided to preface the performance by saying something about how a figure as stormy as Beethoven surely would have something very
“I have Dreamed”- 2015 Recital
I'm not sure there's a more wonderful musical than Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King and I" - and I wanted to include two of my favorite songs from that show on this program to highlight
Widmung – 2015 Recital
Robert Schumann's "Widmung" has to be among the greatest love songs ever composed. I like to refer to it as one of the Mona Lisa's of music- one of those masterpieces that everyone needs to
“Nothing like a Dame” – 2015 Recital
Here is a fun moment from my most recent faculty recital - as my current Carthage voice students (the upperclassmen, that is) joined me for "There is nothing like a dame" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's
Do you Love Me – Voice Recital 2015
I certainly couldn't sing a recital of love songs without involving my wife Kathy one way or another. She and I sang two duets, the first of which was "Do you love me" from
“In Liebeslust” – 2015 Voice Recital
This is a stunning song by the great Hungarian composer Franz Liszt (1811-1886.) I vividly remember being introduced to this song back when I was in high school (37 years ago or so.) My first
“Fair House of Joy” – 2015 Recital
Here is an excerpt from my September 13, 2015 faculty recital. This is the song with which I ended the first half: Roger Quilter's "Fair House of Joy," which is one of his Seven Elizabethan
“Pace” (Peace)
My song "Pace" (which is Italian for "peace") tries to describe the Perfect Peace that was part of the first Christmas night. This particular recording is of the Lincoln Chamber Singers, and I appreciate how
Songs by Edvard Grieg
Here are some excerpts from a special faculty recital - "A Glimpse of Grieg" - which I sang with my colleague Amy Haines back in the spring of 2007. It was Amy's idea to
Interview: “Disaster” (FEMA & Katrina)
For the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I'm posting my interview with Christopher Cooper, author of "Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland Security." Of everything written about Katrina and the federal government's
The Pearl Fishers Duet
"Au fond du temple saint" is almost certainly the most beloved of all tenor/baritone opera duets. It comes from The Pearl Fishers by Georges Bizet, who best known for his masterpiece Carmen. This earlier opera
Those Old Sweet Songs
This is a song that I have only performed once in my entire life, because it was written for a very specific occasion - for a very special group of guys. The occasion was the
The Very Best Kind of Beautiful
This is a song I composed in honor of a Carthage graduate named Laura Kaeppler- who also happens to be a former Miss America! Towards the end of her time as Miss America, she
“Caleb’s Song”
I composed this song as a graduation present (in 2002) for a voice student of mine named Caleb Sjogren, an outstanding young man who I admired not only for his considerable talents but also for
“The Kerry Dance” (Mike & Nick)
Here is a moment from "Moving On: A Farewell Recital by Nick Huff and Mike Anderle." I taught Mike and Nick voice lessons not only for four years at Carthage but back in their high
“Shepherd’s Gloria”
I composed this anthem for the Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin (conducted by James Schatzman) for a concert consisting of various settings of the 'Gloria.' Not long before the commission, I had the pleasure
“Thank you for this Baby”
This song of mine that has only been sung once - and I'm not sure it will ever be sung again because it was crafted for a very special occasion as a gigantic surprise for
“Great and Glorious Light” (Tremper)
I composed "Great and Glorious Light" on Thanksgiving Day 1998 when my wife asked me to please not be underfoot while she finished preparing the evening's big meal. I ended up walking over to our
“Strength” – arr. for TTBB
My song "Strength" was originally composed for SATB - but for my faculty recital in the fall of 2014, I decided to re-arrange it for men's voices so the guys in my voice student could
Amazing Grace
Here is my arrangement of John Newton's great hymn- an arrangement which I initially did for th Chamber Singers back in the late 1990's. It was inspired in part by a beautiful picture book which
“Pace” (Peace)
"Pace" is Italian for "peace." I composed this piece during the summer of 2001, and both my Chamber Singers at Carthage at my Senior Choir at Holy Communion sang it for that Christmas season, which
“Strength”
I wrote my song "Strength" in the fall of 2000, while I was serving as interim conductor of the Carthage Choir. The Carthage school year begins with a special New Student Convocation, and that particular