Scott Dettra

Scott Dettra (born March 17, 1975) is an American concert organist and church musician. He tours in North America and Europe, and is the Organist at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Formerly, he was Director of Music and Organist at the Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, Texas.^[1] He is also Organist of The Crossing, a professional chamber choir based in Philadelphia.^[2] From 2007 to 2012, he was Organist of Washington National Cathedral.^[3]

Biography

A native of Wilmington, Delaware, he studied music at an early age, beginning piano lessons at age three and organ lessons at age eight, taught primarily by his father.^[4] He holds two degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where he was a student of Joan Lippincott, and has also studied organ and jazz piano at Manhattan School of Music.^[5] He tours extensively as a concert organist, performing at many prominent churches,^[6]^[7] concert halls,^[8]^[9] and universities^[10]^[11] in the United States and abroad.^[12] He has been a featured performer at several national conventions of the American Guild of Organists,^[13]^[14]^[15] the Association of Anglican Musicians,^[16] the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the American Choral Directors Association.^[17] Festival appearances include the Lincoln Center Festival, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the Carmel Bach Festival, the Arizona Bach Festival, and the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts.^[18] As a church musician, he has held positions at Trinity Church, Princeton,^[19] Saint Mark's, Locust Street in Philadelphia,^[20] Saint Paul's, K Street in Washington, DC, and Washington National Cathedral.^[21] Other former positions include Keyboard Artist of the Washington Bach Consort,^[3] Assistant Conductor of the Cathedral Choral Society,^[22] and Principal Accompanist of the American Boychoir.^[9]

Discography

He is featured on more than 20 recordings as a soloist, conductor, or collaborator.

The Anglo-American Classic Organ (Gothic, 2019)
Choral Evensong for Eastertide with the Incarnation Choir (Gothic, 2018)
The Holy City: Choral Music of James D'Angelo (Gothic, 2014) ^[23]
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with the Incarnation Choir (Incarnation, 2013)
New American Choral Music Series: William Bradley Roberts (Gothic, 2013) ^[24]
Christmas Daybreak with The Crossing (Innova Records, 2013) ^[25]
Majestus: The Great Organ of Washington National Cathedral (Loft Recordings, 2010) ^[26]
J.S. Bach - Solo Cantatas with Elizabeth Futral, soprano and the Washington Bach Consort (Lyrichord, 2009) ^[27]
Evensong: Of Love and Angels - Dominick Argento with the Cathedral Choral Society (Gothic, 2009) ^[28]
Messiah with the choir of Washington National Cathedral (Gothic, 2010) ^[29]
Voices of Angels with the American Boychoir (Albemarle, 2004) ^[30]
Messe Basse with the American Boychoir (Albemarle, 2004) ^[31]
Lullaby - Music for the Quiet Times with the American Boychoir (Albemarle, 2002) ^[32]
Litton Live! - The Farewell Concert with the American Boychoir (Albemarle, 2001) ^[33]
Mass & Vespers for the Feast of the Holy Innocents with the American Boychoir (Linn, 2000) ^[34]
The Day of Resurrection - Evensong for Easter Day Saint Paul's, K Street (Pro Organo, 1999) ^[35]
Tongues of Fire (Pro Organo, 1999) ^[36]
Show Yourselves Joyful Saint Paul's, K Street (Pro Organo, 1997) ^[37]
The Best of Trinity Choirs Trinity Church, Princeton (1998)
Christmas in Princeton Trinity Church, Princeton (1996)

Personal life

Dettra is an avid fan of The Muppets and Star Wars and frequently makes references to both during rehearsals.

References

^ Cantrell, Scott (March 26, 2012). "Organist Scott Dettra moving to Dallas". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
^ "Crossing roster". Archived from the original on 2013-09-26.
^ ^a ^b Reinthaler, Joan (March 29, 2011). "Music review: J. Reilly Lewis and Scott Dettra at National Presbyterian Church". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
^ Robinson, Joyce (September 2012). "Like Father, Like Son: A Conversation with Lee and Scott Dettra". The Diapason. 103.
^ "Noted organist to perform recital at St. Stephen's on Feb. 28".
^ "National Cathedral program".
^ "St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue program" (PDF).
^ "Kennedy Center". Archived from the original on 2013-09-26.
^ ^a ^b Holland, Bernard (September 29, 2000). "MUSIC REVIEW; Was He a Fastidious Romantic Or an Impassioned Classicist?". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
^ "New York Times arts calendar". The New York Times. 19 April 1998.
^ "Baylor University calendar".
^ "Philharmonie Essen".
^ Campbell, Neal (October 2002). "Philadelphia 2002". The American Organist.
^ "AGO 2010 convention book" (PDF).
^ "AGO Boston 2014" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-26.
^ Stearns, David (June 19, 2012). "Review: The Crossing goes sacred without sanctity". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
^ "Westminster at ACDA". Archived from the original on 2013-09-06.
^ "Gothic records".
^ "Choral Evensong planned for Nov. 2 at Trinity Church". Town Topics. October 22, 1997.
^ Peña, Susan (September 15, 2003). "Choir's artistry closes festival on high note". The Reading Eagle.
^ "Organist Appointments Announced at Washington National Cathedral".
^ Banno, Joe (May 23, 2006). "Cathedral Choral Society". The Washington Post.
^ "The Holy City: Choral Music of James D'Angelo". Amazon. 2014.
^ "New American Choral Music Series: William Bradley Roberts". Amazon. 2013.
^ "The Crossing, Christmas Daybreak". Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Majestus: The Great Organ of Washington National". Amazon. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Bach Solo Cantatas BWV #51, 209 & 210". Amazon. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Evensong: Of Love & Angels". Amazon. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Messiah/Washington National Cathedral Choir and Baroque Orchestra - Michael McCarthy, conductor". Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Voices of Angels - Christmas Favorites from The American Boychoir". Amazon. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Messe Basse". Amazon. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Lullaby - music for the quiet times". Amazon. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Litton Live! - The Farewell Concert". Amazon. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Johann Michael Haydn: Mass & Vespers for the Feast of the Holy Innocents". Amazon. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "The Day of Resurrection". Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Tongues of Fire". Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Show Yourselves Joyful". Retrieved 22 September 2013.