The Palmetto Mastersingers

The Palmetto Mastersingers were nearing the end of their 2001 European tour when they presented a concert in the Franciscan Church in the medieval city of Rothenburg o.d. Tauber, Germany. The road–weary singers were concerned the performance had been up to par. Not to worry.

An American tourist approached music director Walter Cuttino after the concert. “Tonight,” the tourist said, “you have made SC proud.”

Such has been the goal of the Palmetto Mastersingers, “South Carolina’s Musical Ambassadors,” since the male choral group was begun in 1981. This season, 2005–2006, marks the Mastersingers’ 25th anniversary.

Special events to commemorate the anniversary include a Christmas program with the Dick Goodwin Big Band on December 8, welcoming Grammy award winning singer–songwriter Melissa Manchester as guest artist February 25; and performing a commissioned piece by celebrated American composer Richard Einhorn on April 22. All performances are at the Koger Center.

The Mastersingers were conceived and organized by the beloved Dr. Arpad Darazs, who fled repression in his native Hungary in 1956 and eventually joined the music faculty of USC in 1966. Dr. Darazs, a student of famed Hungarian composer and choral conductor Zoltan Kodaly, founded the Mastersingers to promote the male choral repertoire beyond college walls.

Music directors of the Mastersingers since Dr. Darazs have included Larry Wyatt, Don Gray, Keith Jones, and Cuttino. The accompanist is Allison Hilbish, staff musician at Columbia College and accompanist at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Irmo.

While the Mastersingers perform a concert series each year at the Koger and sing at various venues around SC throughout the year, the group has particularly enjoyed international travel and performing. Dr. Darazs took the group to Wales and Hungary in 1984. The group has also sung in Romania, Austria, Italy, France, Germany, and Russia. Memorable experiences have included singing for masses at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The group will go to China in March 2006.

Nationally, the Mastersingers have sung at Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral, and twice for Christmas at the White House. In–state performances have included Piccolo Spoleto; opera houses in Newberry, Bishopville, and Bennettsville; and numerous colleges and churches. Annually the Mastersingers form the core choir for the Governor’s Carolighting at the State House.

The group has recorded three CDs, with a fourth planned for 2006. It has commissioned more than 30 compositions and arrangements.

The Mastersingers have performed with guest artists including The Lettermen, a cappella gospel group Glad, the American Boychoir, and gospel singer Larnelle Harris.

The group’s repertoire includes sacred, classical, pop, show tunes, opera, spirituals, medleys, and novelty tunes. As Cuttino is fond of saying, the Mastersingers perform everything from Beethoven to the Beatles, and Mozart to Motown.

Membership in the group is voluntary (no paid singers) and by audition. The active membership is about 80 singers, mostly from central SC. Members have ranged in age from 15 to 90. While many singers are retirees, the current roster includes physicians, ministers, engineers, teachers, lawyers, and businessmen.

palmettomastersingers.org