Walter Edward Cuttino
Fun!
That's what the Mastersingers
have had ever since Walter Cuttino became our music
director. While his credentials are that of a serious
musician, there's nothing stodgy about Walter's approach to music. That's not
to say that he's not attentive to technique, intonation, and musicianship -
and, yes, we still have to learn the notes. It's just that Walter teaches
choral music with an attitude of sheer joy and even a
mischievousness that makes rehearsals - and concerts - a delight. He
thinks nothing of halting the reading of a difficult piece to share his latest
joke, bringing guffaws from the men and a blush to our accompanist. He never
has a harsh word for any singer, and is longsuffering when we are having
trouble catching on to different languages or unusual rhythms. Our two-hour
rehearsals on Tuesday nights are never tedious with Walter at the helm.
Walter attended the University of South Carolina as a vocal performance
major. He studied extensively with Dr. Arpad Darazs, then head of USC's choral
Department and founder of the Palmetto Mastersingers.
Upon completing his
graduate studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1983, Walter
elected to pursue his musical career in Europe.
There he gave over 1,000 operatic performances and performed over 350 concerts,
including a concert tour with the late Leonard Bernstein to London
and Moscow.
In 1996, Walter returned
to South Carolina
as a member of the voice faculty at USC. He is now the music director at Lake Murray
Presbyterian Church. Walter also serves as the Artistic Director of the
Palmetto Opera and Chair of the University
of South Carolina's Vocal
Division (effective June 2004). He has served as music director of the Palmetto
Mastersingers since 1998.
So, you can always expect
a fun concert. To borrow a line from Bi-Lo's commercial, our music is
better-because of Walter!