Stan Freese

Stanford Freese (Stan Freese; born August 21, 1944) is a tuba soloist and Talent Casting & Booking Director with Disney Entertainment Productions (The Walt Disney Company).

Born in Minnesota, Stanford Freese (Stan Freese) is now in his 43rd year working for the Walt Disney Company. Stan has served in many roles throughout his Disney career including the Director of Bands at both the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort. He served as a Show Director for Tokyo Disneyland, an Entertainment Producer for Pleasure Island and Walt Disney World, and a Musical Show Director for Tokyo Disney Seas. Stan is currently the Talent and Casting Director for Disneyland, finding talent, developing musical ensembles, and overseeing the multitude of live musical performances at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney and for a wealth of special events off property. Stan maintains his status as a principal advisor and mentor for hundreds of Disney Entertainment Division staff members who are responsible for the music and show development for Disney theme parks around the world.

In addition to his work at Disney, Stan has been a renowned tuba soloist and entertainer for over forty years. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Stan was selected by the United States Cultural Exchange Department, Washington D.C. as a tuba soloist with the Minnesota concert band that toured the Soviet Union, culminating with a command performance for the President of the United States at the White House. Stan was chosen again by the government to tour China as a tuba soloist with the Minnesota band on a goodwill tour. Stan later moved to Hollywood California, where he produced and played in television and motion picture soundtrack recordings until he was hired by Disney to move to Orlando Florida to serve as the first leader of the Walt Disney World Band. Two years later Stan relocated to Disneyland, where he became Director of Bands and began re-envisioning the musical programming for Disneyland and the upcoming Disney California Adventure theme park.

1995: Inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame along with Prince—also from Minnesota.

1997: Recipient of the Classic Conference Fine Arts and Distinguished Service Award

2007: Inducted into the Edina Hall of Fame

2007: Bestowed with the prestigious University of Minnesota Distinguished Graduate Award, along with Tony Dungy of NFL fame

2007: Entered the Guinness Book of World Records as producer of the largest Tuba Christmas Ensemble in the world consisting of over 500 tubas performing in concert at Downtown Disney, Anaheim California

2008: Received the Disney Entertainment Excellence Award

2009 & 2010: Recognized by the United States Army School of Music for participation and training of U.S. Army senior bandleaders for the U.S. Army Bands, Norfolk Virginia

2010: Received the Disney Entertainment Hall of Fame Award

2010: Received the NAMM Association School JAM USA Award on behalf of the Walt Disney Company

2011: Received the O.C. Lifetime Achievement Award

2013: "Josh Freese's Queens of the Stone Age Dad is Tapped for QOTSA LP"

A Perfect Circle Chet Atkins Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus Band Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, Sofia Bulgaria – Guest Conductor Chuck Berry Glen Campbell Roy Clark Dallas Brass Disneyland Band Dukes of Dixieland Band Performed at 2008 Grammy Awards Pete Fountain Hee Haw – Featured Guest 1983-1991 Nashville Tennessee Indiana Symphony Orchestra – Soloist Minnesota Symphony Orchestra Queens of the Stone Age Tokyo Disneyland Band United States Army Band, Norfolk Virginia Vandals Punk Rock Band Joe Walsh (Eagles) Walt Disney World Band

Lawrence Welk, November 19, 1958 - 14-year-old Stan Freese, a jazz tuba player from Minneapolis.

Stan is married and has two sons, Josh and Jason. Both are internationally recognized studio and touring musicians. Josh plays drums, writes and produces. Jason plays keyboards and sax, writes and produces.

Stan’s wife Tera owns “Integrated Project Development”—a commercial land development company.