Frederic Beard

Frederic William Beard (c. 1865 – 5 May 1912) was an English organist and choirmaster, remembered in Australia for his influence on choral and symphonic musicianship.

History Beard was organist in Birmingham, England, and director of the city's Choral Society.

Australia After an invitation was extended by organiser W. D. Hill, Beard adjudicated at the 1906 South Street Competitions, the annual eisteddfod in Ballarat, Beard decided to settle in Melbourne, and following an invitation by the (Roman Catholic) Archbishop of Melbourne, Thomas Carr, he was appointed organist and choirmaster of St Patrick's Cathedral, with the remit to carry out Pope Pius X's reforms in ecclesiastical music. He succeeded Fred Clutsam, brother of George Clutsam, as conductor of Melbourne's Orpheus Society, which became the Victorian Festival Choir during his tenure. A performance by the choir of Beethoven's Choral Symphony on 26 November 1910 with the Victorian Professional Orchestra, led by George Watson, was praised.

Death In November 1911 Beard returned to Britain for a holiday and, following a tour of Europe, boarded the RMS Orsova intending to return to Melbourne. Concerns were raised when he failed to reply to telegrams left for him at Fremantle and further enquiries revealed that he had died of appendicitis en route at Colombo. His loss was felt deeply by members of the Festival Choir, the National Operatic Society and the Students' Choir. Dean Phelan movingly referred to his death during a service at St Patrick's Cathedral.

Paul Beard (1901–1989), a nephew, was also a musician, a fine violinist.