Morris music legend will sing, accept honors at weekend arts events

A busy weekend awaits one of the Morris County area’s leading voices.

On Saturday, May 16, Morris Plains resident R. Wayne Walters will take his place in the bass section of the Morris Choral Society when it presents its annual spring concert at St. Mary’s Abbey on the campus of the Delbarton School in Morris Township.

The next afternoon, the longtime singer, composer, conductor and music educator will be honored by the Masterwork Music and Art Foundation at its 65th Anniversary gala at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship church.

“I’ll be singing with the Express Male, too,” said Walters, referring to the all-male vocal sextet that is featured at Morris Choral Society performances.

Walters retired from teaching three decades ago after a long career that began in the Parsippany School District in the 1960s, then continued at the Morris School District, where he taught from 1970 to 1996. His career also included 15 years at Saint Elizabeth University and adjunct positions at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Walters still serves as an area adjudicator for the National Society of Arts and Letters.

Morris County’s premier regional chorus

He also founded the Morris Choral Society in 1973. Since then, the group has held annual spring and holiday concerts while building a reputation as a premier regional chorus. The Society has also performed in Europe, at First Night Morristown and at several special engagements at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, where it’s supported the likes of Judy Collins, Dave Brubeck and the New Philharmonic of New Jersey.

At age 88, Walters still pursues his passion for music, learning new pieces, singing with the chorus and composing songs for a “catch group” that still doesn’t have a name.

“Every piece of music you touch is a new thought from a new composer,” Walters said in a phone interview with the Daily Record. “It’s a new thing to have, to be able to express, and whether I’m singing it, or composing it … one way or another, I’m always dealing with something new, which is wonderful.”

He embraced teaching for similar reasons. “You’re always working with a slightly different group of kids all the time that are coming and going. And you’re creating new things with new kids. I’ve always looked at it as a wonderful thing because it’s never the same thing all the time.”

Spring concert lineup includes Brahms, in German

The spring concert on May 16 will feature soprano Cassandra Douglas and baritone Charles Gray. The program includes “A German Requiem,” by Brahms, performed in German with full orchestra accompaniment

Walters’ Express Male group and a women’s group, High Society, will also perform during the first half of the evening. Michael Shane Wittenburg will conduct, with accompanist Jennifer Yang on piano.

General admission for the spring concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is $30, with discounts for seniors and students (children under 8 admitted free). Full details are on the Morris Choral Society website.

The Morris Choral Society will also take time during the concert to recognize this year’s R. Wayne Walters Scholarship winner, Sophie Havens.

The next afternoon, Walters will be the one collecting honors when the Masterwork Foundation honors him.

“Wayne is a former member of the Masterwork Music and Art Foundation Board and helped develop the template for their Premiere Award,” the foundation announced. “He has received numerous awards and accolades over the years.”

More: Big changes are coming to Morristown’s historic arts center

Founded in Morristown in 1960, the Masterwork Music and Arts Foundation supports and nurtures artists through three programs: Community Arts Grants are designed “to inspire and encourage continued development through the arts, funding community endeavors including theatrical productions,” according to the group.

The foundation’s Emerging Artist Awards also assist developing artists, while its Premier Award is designed to fund works in music, dance, theater and the visual arts. Winners will be announced at the gala.

Tickets for the gala, which begins at 3 p.m. and will include an open bar, hors d’oeuvres “and a fun-filled performance,” are $125. Visit the foundation website for more details.

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris County Choral music legend R. Wayne Walters honored