photo courtesy of Wayne Walters
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation will celebrate its 65th Anniversary with a gala at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (21 Normandy Heights Road) in Morristown on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3:00pm. The event will showcase some of its grant awardees plus honor Wayne Walters, a well-known New Jersey musician who sings, composes, conducts, and has taught and influenced many over the years.
The Foundation began in 1960 in Morristown as the brainchild of the late Shirley May, who was passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists and strengthening a community’s cultural life. Originally part of the Masterwork Chorus, it split off many years ago and is no longer part of the Chorus, but rather an independent Foundation with a distinct mission.
The honoree Wayne Walters taught in the Morris School District for nearly three decades and served as guest conductor for The New Jersey School of Music Association. He was named Master Choral Music Teacher by the NJ Music Teachers and received The Governor’s Award for excellence through the New Jersey “Arts in Education” program. He was on the adjunct faculty of Fairleigh Dickenson University and, for many years, was adjunct professor of music at St. Elizabeth University in Morristown. Currently, he serves as an area adjudicator for the National Society of Arts and Letters.
As a professional bass-baritone, he has performed in concert, recital, oratorio, opera, and musical comedy in the United States and in Europe. Wayne founded and led the Morris Choral Society for many years and was selected as one of the conductors for the New York Choral Society’s annual Handel’s Messiah Sing-In at Avery Fisher Hall. Wayne is a former member of the Masterwork Music and Art Foundation Board and helped develop the template for their Premiere Award. He has received numerous awards and accolades over the years.
The Masterwork Music and Arts Foundation supports three categories of programming. The first is Community Arts Grants, which are designed to inspire and encourage continued development through the arts. In the past, the Foundation has funded community endeavors such as performances, theatrical productions and award-winning films. This year’s winners will be announced at the gala.
The second category is Emerging Artist Awards which assist developing artists. As the Foundation explains “excellence in the arts has little meaning when art cannot be sustained.”
The third is called the Premier Award and is designed to fund a new work in one of four disciplines -- music, dance, theatre and the visual arts. The next Premier Award will be in the discipline of theatre. The winner will also be announced at the gala.
One hundred percent of all gifts to the Masterwork Music and Art Foundation funds art and artists through community grants, emerging artist awards, and the premier award. People can support the Masterwork Foundation and salute Wayne Walters by attending the birthday celebration on May 17 or by taking an ad in the program journal. Tickets for the program which includes an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and a fun-filled performance are only $125.00. Ads start at $55.20.
For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit www.masterworkarts.org or contact Todd Whitley, Executive Director, at [email protected].
