Dr. McFatter has taught music theory, composition, and piano at CSUSB since 1983. His compositions, for a variety of media, have won many awards and are regularly programmed throughout the United States and Europe. Performances of his works have been held in Vienna, at Carnegie Recital Hall, Tanglewood, New York's Symphony Space, and over National Public Radio and Voice of America. In 1998, Dr. McFatter was awarded the first annual Michael Hennagin Prize in composition at the University of Oklahoma for his Hymn of the Earth.

Dr. McFatter performs frequently as a piano soloist and in chamber music concerts in the greater Los Angeles area. He is in demand as an adjudicator for piano competitions and conferences throughout Southern California and conducts workshops in both piano and composition. Dr. McFatter has served as President of the Pacific Southern Regional Chapter of the College Music Society.