Washington National Cathedral

Scott Dettra is Organist and Associate Director of Music at Washington National Cathedral, where he is responsible for the organ playing at more than 350 services per year and assists Music Director Michael McCarthy with the direction of the Cathedral choirs. Mr. Dettra is also assistant conductor and keyboard artist of both the Cathedral Choral Society and the Washington Bach Consort. He has previously held positions at St. Paul’s, K Street in Washington; St. Mark’s, Philadelphia; and Trinity Church, Princeton. Additionally, he was principal accompanist of the American Boychoir for many years.

A prize-winning organist, he has performed at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Anglican Musicians, and has appeared at many notable venues throughout the world. He has appeared as a harpsichord soloist with the Washington Ballet and the Washington Bach Consort. In his work with the Cathedral Choral Society, Mr. Dettra has prepared the ensemble for performances with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, and the Dave Brubeck Quartet. In 2006 he was co-conductor of the Society’s performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem. Mr. Dettra appeared at the 2004 Lincoln Center Festival as organist for the North-American premiere of John Tavener’s seven-hour work The Veil of the Temple. In addition to many recording credits, his performances have been broadcast numerous times on the BBC, NPR, and PRI.

Mr. Dettra holds two degrees from Westminster Choir College and has also studied at Manhattan School of Music. His principal organ teachers have been Joan Lippincott, Dennis Keene, and his father, Lee Dettra.