The website and blog of musician and writer Walter Bitner.

A multi-instrumentalist and singer, Walter is also a teacher, composer/arranger, and conductor conversant with a wide variety of musical styles and traditions. He has performed or collaborated with a diverse array of musicians in a teaching and performing career that spans four decades. Walter is Director of Education & Community Engagement for the Richmond Symphony, and founder and director of the Richmond Symphony School of Music.

Walter’s column Off The Podium was featured in Choral Director magazine 2016-2021, and his writing has been published widely by music and education associations and publications including the National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, Teaching With Orff, School Band & Orchestra magazine, and the Lute Society of America. He has also been a featured speaker about music education and diversity, equity, and inclusion at regional and national conferences.

Opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Richmond Symphony.