Honoring a remarkable life in music and inspiring the next generation of violinists
(Left) Dr. Quinton Morris and his late violin teacher, Walter Schwede (Right) Professor Schwede playing violin
We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Walter Schwede Music Library, a new resource that allows Key to Change students to explore repertoire and check out music to practice and learn. The library honors the legacy of Professor Walter Schwede, who was Dr. Quinton Morris’s violin teacher in high school, a member of the Seattle Symphony, and a longtime violin professor at Western Washington University.
His estate generously gifted his sheet music collection to Key to Change, a treasure trove curated over decades of performance and scholarship. Many of the scores include Professor Schwede’s personal notes, offering young musicians a rare glimpse into his artistry and approach to interpretation and technique. “I am absolutely thrilled to have my former teacher’s name now associated with our music library,” said Dr. Quinton Morris, executive director and founder of Key to Change. “Mr. Schwede was a major influence in my young adult and professional life, and I’m grateful that his legacy will live on through our students as they have access to his music.”
Born in 1949 in North Dakota, Walter began violin studies at age eight. He graduated from the University of Michigan, where he met his wife, Bette Ann, and went on to earn a master’s degree from the Catholic University of America. Early in his career, he joined the Air Force Strolling Strings, performing for generals, dignitaries, and U.S. Presidents. He later became a professor at DePauw University and served as Concertmaster of the Nashville Symphony. His versatility as a musician led him to work as a studio musician for country artists in Nashville and to perform on countless film soundtracks.
Walter made Washington State his home, where he raised his family and left an indelible mark on the region’s music community. He became Associate Concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony in 1984 and also served as Concertmaster of the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Opera, most notably during Wagner’s Ring Cycle. “Walter Schwede’s music legacy lives on, and his relationship with Dr. Morris spanned many decades,” said Bette Schwede, his wife. “He was always proud of and excited about Dr. Morris’s endeavors and achievements.”
In 1997, Walter joined the faculty at Western Washington University in Bellingham, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s string program. He was an active chamber musician, organized concerts across Washington schools, and taught at music camps and festivals nationwide, including Marrowstone and the Meadowmount School of Music. After more than two decades of teaching, Walter retired in 2018 as an emeritus professor, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and love for the violin.
The Walter Schwede Music Library stands as a heartfelt tribute to a life dedicated to music and education. It ensures that his passion for learning and artistry continues to inspire future generations.
If you have sheet music you would like to donate, we welcome your contributions to help expand the library’s collection. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Alice Lobenstein, Alicia Reinhart, Louanne Lotz, and Judy Featherstone for their generous support in establishing this special new resource.
Listen to Walter Schwede’s music here.
