Staff Musicians
Cathedral staff lead the music program with professional skills in choral conducting, organ playing, and carillon performance. All three skills are used in both liturgical and performance settings at the Cathedral.
Director of Music
Michael McCarthy is the Cathedral’s Music Director. He oversees the entire music program and is the principal conductor of the Cathedral choirs.
Organists
Scott Dettra is the Cathedral Organist. In addition to being the principal organist for Cathedral services, he assists Mr. McCarthy with the direction of the Cathedral choirs.
Jeremy Filsell is the Cathedral’s Artist-in-Residence. His responsibilities include service and recital playing, training of choristers, liaison for visiting choirs, and the direction of Cathedral Voices.
Carillonneur
Ed Nassor is the Cathedral’s Carillonneur. In addition to teaching duties at a northern Virginia school, Ed also plays the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington.
Former Choirmasters
Washington National Cathedral choirmasters have been Edgar Priest, Robert George Barrow, Paul Callaway, Richard Wayne Dirksen, Douglas Major, Bruce Neswick, and James Litton. In addition to their work at Washington National Cathedral, each of these distinguished musicians has helped to guide and influence the course of American church music during the twentieth century.
Some of the Cathedral’s past organists include: Christopher (Kit) Jacobson; Scott Hanoian.