PUTZ, PETER (b. 1955)

Peter L. Putz (born February 4, 1955, Middleton, Wisconsin) is a Wisconsite through and through. His musical interests were sparked by his parents and family and nurtured by teachers throughout his career. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Stevens Point before returning to UW-Madison for his B.M.E. degree. Later on in 1997, he earned a Computer Teaching minor from Edgewood College in Madison.

 

Peter Putz taught band, choir and general music in the Ithaca School District for 7 years before moving to the Riverdale district in 1986. Since then he has taught music at all K-12 levels as well as computer classes. Along with his school groups, he has directed the Vacationland Choralaires Barbershop Chorus and the Riverdale Community Chorus. He is currently a member of the Platteville Chorale along with his wife Lori and their two sons, Derek and Ryan.

 

Mr. Putz was the Secondary General Music Representative for the Wisconsin Music Education Association from 1987 to 1990.

 

For Peter Putz, "music is an expression of emotion, even at the most basic levels. Whether composing, performing, or listening, if there is no emotional connection, there is no music, no communication. The craft of music teaches us to organize and direct the energy, the emotion we feel, so that the art of music is communicated to those around us." Mr. Putz writes music from a need to communicate what he hears in his mind, whether it is inspired by a bit of verse or a bit of music that won’t go away, so that the finished product contains the energy and emotion that inspired it.