Get to know ... Stanley G Beard, Minister of Music

A member of Calvary first, Stan Beard was reluctant to expose his musical talents to the congregation. That lasted about a year. His tenure as Minister of Music has now lasted for well over twenty years. Perhaps it was in the hesitant start that momentum was built up for the beloved long run. Stan’s music has become a defining part of worship, fellowship, and nearly all events at Calvary Lutheran Church.

A native of Pennsylvania, Stan began his professional music career with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. Touring the country doing one-nighters for two years, Stan then chose Los Angeles to begin his recording and television career. As a "back-up" singer, Stan has "ooh-ed and aah-ed" behind the likes of Streisand and Sinatra, written for and sung with Doc Severinson’s live shows, and toured the world with the Ray Conniff Singers and Johnny Mann’s Stand Up and Cheer. And know it or not, you have seen him on TV programs like The Carol Burnett Show which he was a part of for its final five seasons.

Radio and TV commercials, including those jingles you often can’t get out of your head, brought Stan to the San Diego area from Los Angeles. From American Airlines to Zenith televisions, Stan has sung, written, and produced music for those "words from our sponsor." As musical director of "Disney on Ice", Stan has written the musical scores and directed the recordings of dialogue and voices in over fifteen different languages. "Just try producing Donald and Goofy in Japanese or German without cracking up!" he has quipped. All of these experiences have prepared Stan for a musical arena as diverse as it is demanding. As a writer, Stan has publications ranging from Broadway tunes to sacred anthems.

Singing in church from the age of three, his love of the gospel and music of the faith led him to directing worship and music for Calvary Lutheran Church in 1983. The music program has flourished under his direction. Significant growth in numbers and in quality of worship presentation has been experienced by our church as Stan has brought his professional expectations and demands to the services and the musical groups. The annual Christmas Concerts and Holy Week events have become a musical staple for the folks of north San Diego County.

Stan’s credits include two of his own albums entitled "A Gospel State of Mind" and "The Quiet of Christmas". Currently, an album concept based on the healing qualities of music entitled "Healing Hands" is in production. Congregations and the greater church body have recognized Stan’s gifts, making him a much sought-after clinician. His experience and skills as a "channel of God’s music" have made him a resource for many. Fulfilling that demand with his own publishing company will now also fulfill a life-long dream for Stan.

A father of three talented children, Stan, and his wife, Heidi, also a professional vocalist, make their home in Solana Beach. All three children have worked professionally as actors, singers, and dancers in various commercials and stage shows. Stan sums it up, "Calvary has become the center of our crazy lives. Without this ‘home plate,’ I sometimes wonder how we’d survive."

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