Kenneth D Varner

Kenneth D. Varner joined the Music Ministry staff of First Baptist Nashville in March, 2019 as worship and music associate/ church organist. Ken has served the past nine years as organist and music associate at Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina. He also serves as staff accompanist at Anderson University, having taught previously as an adjunct professor in church music at North Greenville University in Tigerville, South Carolina.

Ken has extensive experience and years of service on staff at Bellevue Baptist in Memphis; First Baptist Orlando; as well as these South Carolina churches: First Baptist Spartanburg, First Baptist Simpsonville, Eastlan Baptist Church in Greenville, and First Baptist North Charleston. His past ministry includes overseeing church musicians, directing senior adult choirs, administration, and leading handbell choirs. Mr. Varner is recognized as an outstanding organist—as an accompanist and as a soloist. He has served numerous state Baptist conventions, evangelism conferences, church music and leadership conferences (including serving as an instructor and organist for Church Music Week at Ridgecrest). He has served as accompanist for the Charleston Symphony and Charleston Choral Society.

Mr. Varner has given solo organ concerts throughout the United States and Europe. Ken has six solo organ books in publication, as well as one collection of duets for piano and organ published by Lillenas Music Publishing Company. His next piano and organ collection is scheduled for release in late spring 2019. Ken earned his bachelor of music in organ performance from Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, and his bachelor of arts in Education from the University of South Carolina, Columbia. He has completed further studies toward a master of arts in teaching music at Rollins College in Florida. Ken and his wife, Sharon, have three children and four grandchildren.