THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220186
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
Byron Cutrer once directed a musical in an ice-skating rink in a shopping mall.
``The acoustics were very challenging,'' he recalled. ``The ice and the openness made for a unique experience. The sound went everywhere. It was vibrant and hard to control, like singing on glass. It reflected everywhere. We had to be careful with people's footing as well as voicing.''
It wasn't the only unusual experience in the career of the music and worship leader at First Baptist Church in Norfolk.
Take, for example, the time he was on a plane bound for Israel with a youth choir. The pilot sent word that he'd like to hear the young people sing.
``The choir stood out in the aisles,'' said Cutrer, who has a master's degree in church music from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. ``That was challenging, because when you're in a jet, your voice doesn't go anywhere except in the seat in front of you. It was not the most advantageous state of acoustics. We sounded like a bunch of soloists.''
``A couple of Christmases ago, I took an 80-member youth choir to the Holy Land, and we sang in manger square in Bethlehem,'' he said. ``Ours was one of eight choirs from all over the world. The program was beamed by satellite from Tel Aviv to New York City, then to Orlando, Fla., where I was assistant minister of music.''
That Christmas Eve, parents heard their children sing from Bethlehem.
Once Cutrer played percussion during a jazz funeral for a prominent Atlanta lawyer.
``It was a trio: percussion, trumpet and trombone,'' he said. ``They asked us to play Dixieland with dignity. That was funny.''
Their rendition prompted the funeral director to request that the trio play at his own funeral.
Even as a teenager, Cutrer's musical experiences could qualify as out of the ordinary.
``After football practice I'd play the piano at the restaurant where my mother worked,'' he said.
In return, he received a free steak.
``One day a man came in and left his name and address on a napkin and asked for a demo tape of my voice and my song,'' he said. ``At the time, I didn't know who he was.''
Only later did he learn that the request came from Col. Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
``I didn't send the tape, but I was quite honored,'' said Cutrer, who for the past year has directed a 342-member adult choir, a 40-piece orchestra, 120 teenagers and several hundred children in a full-graded choir program for preschoolers through sixth-graders.
Full name: D. Byron Cutrer
Hometown: Osyka, Miss.
Fond childhood memories: ``Great high school years. I was a split end on the state championship football team. I won the 880-yard run (in track) for my school and won the state championship. I went to college on a track scholarship. Our basketball team went to state, too. I was a starting guard on that.''
Spouse: Vickie
Children: Corrie, Byron II, Casey, Carlie and Barrett
Occupation: Ordained minister and the music and worship leader at First Baptist Church of Norfolk
Hobbies: ``I enjoy writing music. I've had a musical and several songs published. I enjoy outdoor sports, golfing, tennis, hunting and fishing.''
A book everyone should read: ``A Gentle Thunder: Hearing God Through the Storm,'' by Max Lucado
What's your favorite game? ``The kids and I enjoy playing Wheel of Fortune.''
If you could be any animal (or tree), what would it be? ``An oak tree planted near a running brook so that it would be strong and have good roots and proper nourishment. A good scriptural version of that is ``a tree planted by the water.''
Pet peeve? ``I don't like being late and don't like being in debt. I hate it when I have to clean out the car or the van.''
Favorite type of music: ``Whatever is new. I like classical, all types of gospel, contemporary gospel and sometimes it's easy listening. I have to appreciate most styles. I try to keep up with the pulse of what the people in our congregation are listening to and what they like. I feel a responsibility as a music pastor to minister to the overall needs of the flock.''
Favorite movie: All time favorites: ``Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'' and ``Patton.''
Can't resist: A good chocolate
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I wish that I wouldn't let people get to me. Because I want to be liked, I have to constantly struggle with taking things personally. I don't want to ever hurt people. I want to encourage them.''
Favorite TV program: ``I've enjoyed watching `Andy Griffith' at lot and `Home Improvement' ''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Locks Pointe
Favorite way to spend a day off: Golfing
What would you choose for your last meal? ``I'd have the Lord's Supper.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
by CNB