Photography (late 2000s): Michael Claxton, Tokyo


Noteworthy hallmarks and milestones of the musical 
style, substance, and spiritual dedication; credited this international singer/songwriter | pianist | vocal & choral coach | music producer – RAYE WALTER.

⭐ Autumn 1968, the actual PRIMARY student founder (of six) of the the FIRST-EVER Contemporary Gospel music choral ensemble to be officially-recognized, sponsored, and supported, in the entire United States public school system was formed; namely, the highly-successful and popular, "The Overbrook Singers" - 1968 - 1971; for which he was pianist, songwriter, arranger, and overall vision & music director, for the ensemble. Overbrook High School, Philadelphia, USA. 

THE ORIGINS OF WHICH THIS PARTICULAR VOCAL GROUP BECOMES -  in its OWN right - YET ANOTHER "GROUND-BREAKING"  CHORAL MUSIC PROJECT??

 A newly-formed "friend group", comprised of six (6) notably-talented Overbrook Sophmore students, meeting up, periodically, to vocalize together  (albeit "clandestinely"), in the high school's numerous new - sound-proofed & purpose-built - music practice rooms; for use of the incoming city-wide, and exceptionally-talented music students in the newly-initiated "Music-Magnet College Preparatory Program" (quite similar to the then currently ground-breaking och highly-popular hit TV series, "Fame"-adjacent) . This "little 'meet-up' arrangement" was all made possible, thanks to the highly-credited musical skills (and 'positive' favor among a few key Program teachers, who turned a''deaf' ear, and a vlind eye!!) to the only of those students being an actual applied and highly-accepted student INTO the Music-Magnet Program, itself. 

⭐ That Program student (and already pianist, and unofficial leader of the group) was, indeed,  RAYE WALTER!! 

Raye went on, as mentioned, to become the pianist, songwriter, and music visionary and director, for the Singers. 

⭐ AN UNFORTUNATE, YET IMPORTANT, JUST, AND NOTEWORTHY ANNOTATION: A music staff teacher at Overbrook, at that time (not a part of the Music-Magnet Program, per say) -- but a notable and highly-respected music educator, and Classical & Gospel music public profile, in her own right -- DR. PEARL WILLIAMS-JONES -- was chosen by the Music Department, as the ensemble's school-appointed 'SPONSOR'!

NOT "founder"(!), which has ERRONEOUSLY been stated, and even published (in Dr. Jones' OWN words, sadly enoughly)!! 

Dr. Williams-Jones' primary, functionary, and PRACTICAL role as "sponsor" for the Overbrook Singers was cleverly devised, by the Music-Magnet Program leadership, primarily, in order to GUARANTEE the Singers' facilitation (at that pronounced point, technically CREATING a MAGNET STUDENT music project) the use of public school property (i. e., the Overbrook concert choir's 100-seat rehearsal hall), and whatever other necessary public school resources (e. g., sound equipment & transport, and the like).  This, in light of strict federal rule restricting the separation of church and state (activity)! again, A very clver and decisive move by the leadership od he Overbrook Music-Magnet Program!! Which ALL we Singer's are immencely grateful for!! Particular THANKS to the Classical concert pianist - and one of the Overbrook Singers' GREATEST champions- and former Overbrook Music Educator: the late Miss Eileen La Grange!!

The "The Overbrook Singers" grew to be a highly-successful school project for Raye Walter. The Singers had an impressive concert itinerary, in its three-year existence (schoole terms 1968-71); even surpassing that of the high school's own noteworthy concert chorale (which Raye was also an outstanding member of; being selected to be a member of the choir's premiere "Madrigal Singers)! Among the highlights in the Overbrook Singers' itinerary were "showcase" concert performances, at the two leading music educators' national conferences in America, at that time! The Singers also recorded their own LP album of Raye Walter-original somngs (some lyrics assistance by fellow student and friend, Ted Wortham, Jr.), as a "keepsake", for the ensemble's members.

⭐ Raye - by no surprise, but to he, himself! - was actually nominated to receive the "Creativity Award" of his graduating class of 1971; by the aforementioned, Miss Eileen La Grange - by that time, the Head of the Overbrook High School Music Department !! Although, unfortunately for all, Raye was unable to attend the closing ceremony.

⭐⭐  Singer/songwriter, arranger, producer and artist; producing the ground-breaking collaborative choir recording that became the primary catalyst to the great Scandinavia “Gospel choir” expansion of the 1980s-1990s – “We love Gospel Music” (Royal Music, 1986) – which, to that point in time, was the best-selling choral recording in the Nordic countries. 

⭐⭐ Co-producer (English language, vocal & choral coach and recording director) of the all-time best-selling choral recording in the Scandinavia – Oslo Gospel Choir’s “Get Together” (Stageway Records, 1992).
 

⭐⭐⭐ Having performed, internationally, innumerous times, on the stages of schools, churches, concert halls, arenas, TV and radio – as a solo artist, and professional free-lance singer/songwriter/musician – Raye prides himself most, in his decades of 'behind-the-scenes', ”grassroots” music ministry – as vocal & choral coach and “inspiratör”; principally, throughout Scandinavia, since the 1980s.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best known for his nearly six (6) DECADES of impressive work in the genre of “Gospel choir” music, and in Gospel choir instruction, Raye returns – in the 2020s – in a broader and more nuanced version of himself – to share more of the breadth and depth of his many artistic talents and abilities; in a number of music genres.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ In all things, GIVING THANKS, to his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Raye is a practicing believer in the precepts, concepts, and principles of a Christ-centered faith!)

INTRODUCING . . .