‘Building Bridges’ Under New Worship Arts Leadership

Dr. Mark Milberger is Bluefield University’s new assistant professor of church music and worship arts, and in that role he’s looking to build bridges within the community.

Dr. Milberger taught at Southern Virginia University (SVU) for 13 years and was the director of music at Cave Spring United Methodist Church for 16 years. He hopes to use his diverse experience to foster a stronger connection between BU’s worship arts and the music groups of the many churches in the Bluefield area.

Dr. Millberger loved working at SVU but “felt led of God to come here.” The job opening at BU allowed him to combine his careers as a university music leader and worship arts music leader into one job. His vast experience in both fields makes him the perfect man to fill this role.

At Bluefield, Dr. Millberger leads two choirs and the worship band. He is also working to modernize the church music training program at BU. Dr. Millberger also plans to expand the university’s worship music program and “build bridges” by volunteering the program to perform at local churches.

“I could see that was my goal here,” Dr. Millberger said, “to build bridges between the Music Department and other departments.”

Dr. Millberger’s music program will perform holiday tunes at “Christmas at Bluefield” in Harman Chapel on December 3rd, alongside the BU band and other music ensembles.

All in all Dr. Milberger sees his new role at BU as “when a man puts his hand to the plow…he doesn’t look back to see where he’s been.” Dr. Millberger sees Bluefield University at “a very unique time of change,” and is excited about the new direction.