'Madam Secretary' star sings, plugs music education in appearance at Club

Erich Bergen, best known for his portrayal of Blake Moran, assistant and confidant to Téa Leoni on the CBS television series “Madam Secretary,” showcased a different set of skills Tuesday night at a National Press Club Headliners event.

Appearing as comfortable at a grand piano as he does on screen, Bergen belted out “Walking in Memphis” and “Your Song” for a fan-filled audience in the Club’s Fourth Estate restaurant. Before the set he checked the time.

Bergen is about to be very busy. In a moment he would be off to catch an Acela back to New York City to prepare for an early morning rehearsal of “Waitress,” his Broadway musical debut. From June 5 through August 12, he will start filming “Madam Secretary” at 5 in the morning, and in the evening star as Dr. Pomatter in “Waitress.”

In addition to his musical performance commitments, Bergen has emerged as a passionate voice for music education. The actor spent the day with lawmakers advocating for increased funding for the arts in public schools, and continued the pitch in his appearance at the Club.

Bergen, interviewed prior to his musical set by Emily Wilkins, co-chair of the Club’s Events Team, launched his remarks by stressing the importance of music in his own life and to American communities.

When he was growing up in New York City, Bergen described himself as “an outcast, an only child who had a lot of crazy energy” -- energy which, he said, “led to at times not good things.” Bergen credited his discovery of music as the vehicle through which he was finally able to focus that energy into positive artistic pursuits.

Bergen recalled that while the New York public schools he attended were “rough,” most had strong music programs that were publicly funded. “I grew up in that world, and I saw how much good those public school music and arts programs did -- not just for me but for kids that really needed it way more than I did,” Bergen said.

He expressed genuine disbelief that funding for the arts is not a national priority. “Research has shown over and over again how specifically music education leads to ... higher test grades, higher graduation rates and a better life,” he said.

He added that “any community that has a strong arts presence does better financially ... businesses do better, local communities do better.”

The actor called on Henry Donahue, executive director of VH1 Save the Music Foundation, to discuss specific requests to Congress by music education advocates.” Although expressing optimism about recent trends in federal funding, Donahue said it is critical that Congress fully fund a $1.65 billion appropriation under the Every Student Succeeds Act, legislation that cites music as an essential component of a well-rounded education.

Bergen later noted that he would like to see “less glossy” depictions on television of “how music -- literally music -- saves lives.” He suggested bringing television cameras into schools that lack arts-education funding to film a TV program that would show, by filming before and after funding, how music in schools improves kids' lives.

“The only national conversation we’re having right now about education is how to arm teachers with guns,” Bergen said, quoting a CBS reporter. “If we can start to change that conversation -- and television is the media to do that -- I think we’ll be better off.”