Baptized
into the death of Christ and raised again to new life..."
These
are the words of St. Paul paraphrased in the signature song by Jay Beech,
Baptized. This gifted song writer and performer is one of the
most heralded artists in the Church. As a solo and with his band or trio,
Jay has performed and led worship all over the country.He is perhaps best
known for his composition and work as a song leader. The author of The
Church Song (We Are the Church), his contemporary hymns can be found
in the new hymnal Worship and Praise, and are sung at bible
camps and in congregations throughout the United States. As is a composer
of contemporary liturgical music, Jay's work is also included in With
One Voice as well as the liturgy One
Body, Alive! which was premiered at the National Youth Gathering
in Atlanta, GA to great acclaim.
Jay
has a passionate commitment to congregational song which he practices
in his role as Director of Music at Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead, MN.
In this vein, he continues to travel throughout the U.S. and is a frequent
presenter at workshops dealing with trends in church music.Jay has also
written music for curriculum. His VBS musicals Together in Jesus'
Name and Awesome Adventures produced such songs
as The Good, Good Shepherd and Good Eatin' in the
Lions' Den Tonight which are still favorites of many. The combination
of musical quality and variety that made The Jay Beech Band a favorite
at youth gatherings has carried Jay into several other areas of church
music.
His
work is now appreciated in settings as varied as synodical and church-wide
assemblies, stewardship events, weekly congregational worship, and has
even been heard on the popular weekly radio program, Lutheran Vespers.
Throughout his interesting career Jay has managed to hold in tension
elements such as heritage and innovation, excellence and participation,
theological integrity and a really good groove. And, it is precisely
his appreciation for the paradoxical nature of life and faith which
makes Jay Beech unique.
|
BIO | PUBLICATIONS
| NOTABLE EVENTS |
POSITIONS |
Publications
1982 The
Death of the Stickman recording-Eagle Records
1985 We
Welcome You musical-Baytone Music
1988 The
Rock Hymnal song book and recording-Baytone Music
1989 Big
World Getting Smaller recording-Baytone Music
1991 The
Rock Hymnal, vol.2 song book and recording-Baytone
Music
1991 Catechism
Cataclysm musical, book and recording-Baytone Music
1992 Together
in Jesus' Name musical-Augsburg Fortress
1994 One
Body, Alive! communion liturgy and recording-Augsburg
Fortress
1994 Jay
Beech Band Vocal Project recording-Augsburg Fortress
1995 Awesome
Adventures musical-Augsburg Fortress
1995 Two selections
in With One Voice hymnal-Augsburg
Fortress
1997 Rise
Up with Christ choral anthem-Neil A. Kjos Music
1997 Every
Time I Think of You published as ELCA church-wide stewardship
theme song
1998 The
Church Song published in the ELCA cong. annual report
cover
1999 Six hymns
in Worship and Praise hymnal-Augsburg
Fortress
2001 To
the Castle musical published as ELCA church-wide stewardship
resource
2001 Everyone
Who Is Thirsty, Come! congregational song resource published
by Baytone Music
| BIO
| PUBLICATIONS
| NOTABLE EVENTS |
POSITIONS |
Notable
Events
1988 Jay Beech
Band is music leader for ELCA National Youth Gathering in San Antonio,
TX
1991 Jay Beech
Band is music leader for ELCA National Youth Gathering in Dallas, TX
1994 Jay Beech
Band is music leader for ELCA National Youth Gathering in Atlanta, GA
1995 Jay Beech
Band performs at ELCA church-wide Assembly Festival-Target Center, Mpls.
1997 Music leader
for ELCA church-wide stewardship conference
1998 Music leader
for ELCA church-wide stewardship conference
2000 Music leader
for ELCA church-wide stewardship conference
| BIO
| PUBLICATIONS
| NOTABLE EVENTS |
POSITIONS |
Positions
1982-1996 full-time
independent itinerant church musician
1996-1997 Vinje
Lutheran, Willmar, MN -part-time worship planning and director of liturgical
ensemble
1996-1997 Bethlehem
Luth., St.Cloud, MN -part-time worship planning and director of liturgical
ensemble
1998-present
Trinity Lutheran, Moorhead, MN -Director of Music
| BIO
| PUBLICATIONS
| NOTABLE EVENTS |
POSITIONS |