William Svarda

MUSIC MINISTER

Director of music at American Martyrs Church, Manhattan Beach, California since 1977.

Directs two choirs and supervises all music and sound in an extremely active parish of over 6000 families.

Background

Bill graduated in 1963 from the University of Cincinnati College -- Conservatory of Music. His original instrument is trombone, but now uses mainly piano and voice.

After college he wrote for many types of instrumental and vocal ensembles and published over 40 compositions for various bands.

From 1977 to the present, he has worked as a transcriber, arranger, engraver for many publishers such as Sparrow, Word, Maranatha, G.I.A. and International Liturgy Publications.

His first love, however, is composing. Liturgical music has been a challenge since first starting to write masses, hymns and octavos for his choirs and many others. It has been a long and rewarding process. The satisfaction comes from touching people musically in a way that brings our Lord closer to them by a deeper understanding of his word.