Walter’s musical interests began with clarinet lessons at the age of 10. At 18 he won a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music with Sidney Fell where he later won the coveted Frederick Thurston Prize.
A period at the National Centre for Orchestral Studies led to playing with some of the world’s great conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Colin Davis and Lorin Maazel. Regular engagements followed with the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras. Presently Walter is an extra player for Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
As a soloist he has performed at the Harrogate, Winchester and Fakenham festivals and particularly enjoys performing chamber music. In recent years he has performed all the major clarinet quintets, including those by Mozart, Brahms and Weber at the St. Stephen’s May Festival in Bournemouth. Several composers have written works especially for him including Martin Butler, Avril Anderson, Stephen Solloway and Rick Birley.
Alongside his conducting of the Axe Vale Orchestra Walter is also the Music Director and Conductor of the Dorset Chamber Orchestra.
He is also active as a pianist, accompanying soloists, pupils and performance groups. He has a particularly strong interest in 19th century piano music and the golden age of piano playing. Other interests include involvement in technology of all kinds, wine, skiing and cycling.