J. Wayne Kerr

J. Wayne Kerr currently serves as pastoral deacon and kantor for West Portal Lutheran Church and School, a position he has held since 2004. He oversees and directs the adult/youth choir, the Celestial Ringers, the praise band, solos, three children’s choirs, a school orchestra, and seven handbells and chimes groups. He also teaches music in the parish school, serves as the parish organist, and is composer-in-residence, providing new compositions for all choirs. Kerr is well known for his handbell, organ, and choral compositions. Previously, Kerr has held positions as a school music teacher as well as a music director for various congregations in Arkansas and Texas. He received his BME from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock and his MM in music theory from the University of Central Arkansas. He became a deacon in 2006. He and his wife, Marilyn, a third grade teacher at West Portal Lutheran School, live together in California.