Fields of Study:
Performance (organ)

Degrees and Studies:
M.A., Case Western Reserve University

Biographical Information:
Walter Klauss received his M.A. degree from Case Western Reserve University and pursued doctoral studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York. At the age of 17, Mr. Klauss made his debut as an organ recitalist at the Cleveland Museum of Art; the Museum later invited him to perform the American premi�re of Jean Langlais' Organ Concerto for the May Festival of Contemporary Music. At the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, Mr. Klauss was one of six organists invited to perform the complete organ works of Olivier Messiaen in a concert honoring the composer, who was present. He continues to appear as a recitalist, including performances with the Zurich Symphony at the Tonhalle; and, for his 30th-anniversary concert at All Souls Unitarian Church, a performance of Rheinberger's rarely-heard Concerto No. 2 for Organ and Orchestra.

Walter Klauss is the founder and conductor of New York's critically-acclaimed Musica Viva concert series. He has appeared as guest conductor of festival choruses and led workshops in choral conducting and performance techniques. Mr. Klauss has been guest conductor of various choral and orchestral works with L'Orchestre de J.L. Petit in Paris, and performed and conducted concerts in Zimbabwe in 2007. Walter Klauss studied conducting with F. Karl Grossman in Cleveland, Ohio, and Wolfram Wehnert in Hanover, Germany. Since 1976 he has been Minister of Music at the All Souls Unitarian Church in New York City. Mr. Klauss also served as Chairman of the Music Department and Professor of Music at the C.W. Post Center of Long Island University. Upon his retirement the university honored Walter Klauss with the status of Professor Emeritus.