Frank Boggs: The Language of Heaven

Internationally acclaimed bass soloist Frank Boggs is the first recording artist for Word Records, where he has recorded 24 albums. In his varied career, he has directed choral programs, co-hosted a radio show, appeared on TV, and even sung for the queen. Currently he directs the Georgia Festival Chorus and is minister of music at a church in Atlanta.

LeAnne: Why do you think most Christians don’t appreciate the arts?
Frank: The primary problem in my lifetime is that Christians back away from anything they don’t feel confident in. We have the winning side but we are afraid to take the chance. We’ve been told that people in the arts aren’t the types we should associate with. We are scared to be challenged and that we won’t come up to the challenge. I believe Christians ought to be bold in everything.

LeAnne: Why should we love music?
Frank: Music is the language of heaven. If we don’t keep ourselves in line musically, we won’t be prepared for heaven. When the angels and everyone sing “The Hallelujah Chorus”, we won’t be able to keep up.

The Georgia Festival Chorus is in its 20th year. We have 85-90 singers. Our mission is to keep the great music masterpieces vital and alive. So many churches have gone contemporary that a great legacy is being ignored, such as the music of Handel and Mozart.

Many Christians I know in music use it as a testimony. For example, John Nelson [conductor of L’Ensemble Orchestral de Paris] started Soli Deo Gloria [a non-profit organization that encourages composers and conductors to promote great sacred works. www.sdgmusic.org]. He goes all over the world. In Paris last spring at Easter, he did Bach’s St. John Passion at Notre Dame. In Atlanta with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, he led performances of Mendelssohn’s Elijah and used soloists who are Christians.


Join me on Thursday as I conclude my interview with Frank Boggs.