By Darlia Clerico
Suki and David moved from Chicago to the Bay Area in 2012, and to San Mateo in 2013. It was important to them to find a church with a strong music program. They attended various church services but were unable to find that perfect match until Suki saw a posting for a tenor section leader at St. Matthew’s. David auditioned and joined the choir and the family found their church home. A few years later Suki also joined the choir as soprano section leader and became director of the children’s and youth choirs. Now we get to enjoy their magnificent voices each Sunday.
Suki was born in Seoul, South Korea and David in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They met at the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago in 2006, where they both sang in the choir while David was finishing his final year of law school. Both sang in the Chicago Symphony Chorus for 6 years until their move to California.
The Von Bargens stated, “We love the community of caring people and we appreciate the beauty and grace of worship space and ritual traditions of the church. Making and listening to the music at St. Matthew’s fills us with joy and continually inspires us.”
Suki and David are raising two sweet girls, Gia (age 8) and Zoe (age 6), who have inherited their parents’ beautiful singing voices. Suki and David describe them as creative and artistic children who bring an abundance of joy to their lives. The four of them enjoy many activities together including dancing, singing, artwork, and playing video games.
Our parish is so very blessed for this family’s praises of God through their musical contributions at our Sunday services. Thank you, Von Bargen family, for your commitment to St. Matthew’s.
